GolfNews March 2015

Issue 230 | March 2015

Twitter @golfnewsmag Web golfnews.co.uk

THE UK’S NO1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Est 1994

AUGUSTA CALLING Justin Rose craving his second major win

GET DISTANCE. GET CONSISTENCY. SACRIFICE NOTHING. At PING, we want every shot to be your best. So we bring you the G30® iron.

It delivers distance with control, forgiveness with feel and shots that launch high and land softly. In other words, everything you need to hit more greens, more often. Get fit today or visit ping.com. You’ll be better for it.

FORGIVENESS AND FEEL Perimeter weighting elevates the MOI and an elastomer cavity badge ensures a solid feel.

DISTANCE CONTROL Thin face generates faster ball speeds for more distance with predictable results.

UNDERCUT CAVITY DESIGN Custom Tuning Port and undercut cavity help position the CG low-back to optimise launch and forgiveness.

©2015 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

MARCH 2015 [2]

Editor’sComment

BY NICK BAYLY

IS THIS THE END OF TIGER’S TALE?

A

lthough we’re just weeks away from the season’s first major, the golfing world is currently in the dark as to whether the man who has done more to change the face of the game over the last 20 years will be taking part.

Tiger Woods’s self-imposed removal from tournament play has left many people scratching their heads, but the truth is that only the man himself – and his ever-dwindling inner circle – knows why he can’t face the idea of playing badly in public.

We all know, often from bitter experience, what a cruel mistress golf can be. Whether you’re the former world no.1 or a hacker like me, golf is no respecter of where you’ve been or where you’re hoping to go.

Whatever is going on inside Tiger’s head, it’s clear to see that the years of fighting the side effects of a power-packed swing have caught up with the man who has been stuck on 14 majors since 2008.

Seven long years without adding to the tally has been hard to take for the man who looked destined to waltz past Jack Nicklaus’s record without breaking sweat. And with a body that is constantly breaking down, his sheer mental willpower is no longer enough to get the job done.

In his heyday, like Faldo in his prime, Woods was terse, secretive and often dismissive at the best of times. He inspired admiration, but not a lot of love. And although his recent troubled times have revealed a more human side to his nature, when Tiger eventually leaves the game, his greatest fans will be none the wiser as to what really went on behind those focused eyes of his.

Seeing a great sportsman struggling in vain to recapture what was once second nature has been painful to watch. Boxers at the end of their careers get knocked to the floor, and often fail to get up, but golfers, with no-one to tell them otherwise, apart from a plummeting world ranking, often carry on well past their sell by date. Few sportsmen ever go out at the top – it’s not in their nature – but Tiger still has that chance.

I, for one, hope that he calls it a day long before the only memory the next generation have of him is of someone who kept pulling out mid-way through rounds, hacking around in the bushes, duffing chips and getting angry with himself and those around him. No-one can take away all those majors, all

those ‘Ws’, as he likes to call them, or the way in which he dominated the sport for over a decade – but watching Tiger missing fairways, putts and cuts is not how I’d like to remember the greatest player I ever had the privilege to watch.

In the meantime, let’s hope he finds a bit of form on the driving range and turns up at Augusta, even it is for just one last hurrah. He owes it to himself, to the game, and to his fans.

THE DEATH OF THE POST-ROUND PINT I think it’s only right that we spare a thought for our Scottish golfing brothers (and sisters) at this time, following the news that tighter drink-drive laws have reduced the legal driving limit in Scotland down to a single can of Irn-Bru, thus putting an end to the ability of golfers to drown their sorrows after another abject round.

While there are many people that quite justifiably believe that any amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is too much for anyone considering driving a car, the tightening of the laws have resulted in a huge drop in income for golf clubs, some of which have reported 70% reductions in sales of alcoholic drinks since the new laws came into place in December.

Thankfully, the spirit of entrepreneurship is still alive and well north of the border, with some clubs mitigating the effects by offering free soft drinks for the drivers of car-sharing golfers, while a greater range of non-alcoholic drinks is also helping to reduce some of the losses caused by the death of the postround pint, which, for some golfers, remains the only thing to look forward to following five hours spent chasing a small ball around a large field.

Being able to get a decent cup of coffee might also help boost bar takings. A filtered brew stewing on a hot plate is no longer acceptable in an age when many people are happy to shell out £3.50 for a skinny frappacino with cinnamon sprinkles at Starbucks and other coffee chains. So come on golf clubs, get grinding those java beans and train your staff to froth up the milk. There’s lolly in a latte.

Issue 230 | March 2015

THE UK’S NO1 GOLF NEWSPAPER

COMPLIMENTARY COPY Twitter @golfnewsmag Web golfnews.co.uk

Est 1994

Email: info@golfnews.co.uk Website: www.golfnews.co.uk Follow us on: Twitter@golfnewsmag

Marketing Director Giancarlo Gambardella giancarlo@golfnews.co.uk

Editor Nick Bayly editor@golfnews.co.uk

Design www.yotedesign.com

Production Kath Perry ads@golfnews.co.uk

Golf News, The Studio, 14 Deanway, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6DG. Tel: 01273 556377

Managing Director Matt Nicholson matt@golfnews.co.uk

AUGUSTA CALLING Justin Rose craving his second major win

For Advertising enquiries please contact Matt Nicholson or Giancarlo Gambardella matt@golfnews.co.uk giancarlo@golfnews.co.uk

Photography Getty Images Kevin Murray Published by BlueGreen Media Regular Contributors Jeremy Ellwood, Sarah Stirk, Paul Mahoney, Clive Agran, Tom Lewis, Alistair Tait.

© Copyright Golf News 2015. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

PAGE NAME | MARCH 2015

[3]

built

for

outrageous

speed

Speed is the driving force behind the new XR driver. That means speed from an aerodynamic crown, speed from a R•MOTO face, speed from maximum shaft load and a lot more.

It’s our fastest titanium driver ever.

©2015 ©2015 Callaway Callaway Golf Golf Company.

Company. Callaway, Callaway, the the Chevron Chevron Device Device and and XR XR are are trademarks trademarks and/or and/or registered registered trademarks trademarks of of Callaway Callaway Golf Golf Company.

Company.

All All other other trademarks trademarks are are property property of of their their respective respective owners. owners. Henrik Henrik Stenson Stenson plays plays an an X2 X2 Hot Hot Driver Driver in in competition. competition. *vs *vs 2012 2012 Callaway Callaway driver. driver.

NEWS IN BRIEF SMITH & JONES HAVE LAST LAUGH AT THE GROVE The TP Tour’s 2015 schedule teed off at The Grove in Hertfordshire earlier this month, where Paul Jones (Seaford) and Richard Smith (Centrurion Club) emerged joint winners after taking 71 shots to complete the former World Golf Championship venue. A betterball competition that ran alongside was won by Will and Henry Aldridge (David Lloyd Hampton). The TP Tour is visiting the famous links Royal St George’s on April 13, while Hanbury Manor, Moor Park and Worplesdon are also venues for events that month.

ROYAL MID-SURREY RAISES £23K FOR MULBERRY CENTRE Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club has donated more than £23,000 to West Middlesex Hospital’s charity, the Mulberry Centre. Ladies’ and men’s team captains Phoebe Daws and Nigel Hopkinson chose the cancer support charity for the Old Deer Park club to support throughout 2014.

Hopkinson went the extra mile for the charity by taking part in the Prudential Ride Surrey 100 cycle challenge, raising a further £1,390.

AUGUST DATE FOR ENGLAND FESTIVAL

England Golf is to stage a week-long festival of golf this summer to create a national grand finale for a host of handicap and team championships. Golf Week 2015 will take place from August 10-14 at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire, and will include the national final of a new mixed Club Team Championship. Other events will include the Junior Champion Club competition; the women’s Grand Medal Final; the men’s Gold Medal; and the national final of the England Golf Captains’ series.

DOBLE WINS SURREY JUNIOR SCRATCH TITLE Reigate Hill junior Michael Doble won the Surrey Junior Boys Golf Knockout Scratch Final after beating Owen Kressinger-Dunn from Walton Heath in a closely-fought contest at Effingham Golf Club. Doble beat two other boys from Walton Heath, one from Wentworth and one from Burhill, on his way to the final, which he won at the 16th hole.

[6]

MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Poulter to host British Masters at Woburn Prize fund boost for PGA Championship The British Masters is to return to the European Tour schedule for the first time in seven years later this year, backed by the sponsorship of Sky Sports, and with a quartet of Britain’s leading tour pros rotating as the tournament hosts over the next four seasons.

Ryder Cup players Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood will each take it in turn to host the tournament – last played in 2008 – and will help to select the venue each year.

First to assume the role will be 12-time European Tour winner Poulter, who will take the British Masters back to Woburn Golf Club – the club with which he has a long-term association – from October 8-11, increasing the number of top-flight tour events on British soil this year to six.

It will be the 17th time that Woburn has hosted the British Masters, and the first since 2002 – the year that Poulter and Rose battled it out for the title, with Rose prevailing by a single stroke.

That contest took place over the Marquess Course, one of Woburn’s three layouts, which will again play host in

Ian Poult er and Justin Rose at Woburn in 2002

October. The tournament will have a prize fund of £3 million.

Poulter said: “It is fantastic news that the British Masters is back, and I am proud and delighted to be bringing the tournament to Woburn, which is obviously a place that means a great deal to me. British golf has been in a good place for a number of years now, with the success we have had internationally, and as players we have all been keen to get more tournaments on British soil, and in England in particular, so we are grateful to Sky Sports and The European Tour for helping to make this happen.”

The field for this year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth will be competing for more prize money than ever before, after the purse was increased to €5 million for the 61st renewal of the European Tour’s flagship event.

The prize fund was €4.75 million when Rory McIlroy secured victory last year, but it will increase by €250,000 when the world No.1 returns to Wentworth’s West Course to defend his title from May 21-24.

George O’Grady, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “It is a sure sign of the tournament’s pre-eminence that the prize fund has been increased, and we are indebted to the continued support of BMW as the title sponsor. Since they came on board ten years ago, the prize fund has increased significantly, which is a sign both of their commitment and also the increasing prestige of this championship.”

Advance tickets, with a discount on the gate price, are available for the practice day on May 19, the celebrity Pro-Am day on May 20, and all four days of the tournament from May 21-24. A season ticket for all six days costs £80, while advance adult day tickets cost £30 on Thursday, £35 on Friday, £40 on Saturday and £45 on Sunday. For details, including prices for concessions, weekend tickets and hospitality packages, visit tickets.europeantour.com.

Seaford unveils new clubhouse Seaford Head Golf Course, one of the oldest public clubs in the South East, has brought itself firmly into the 21st century following the opening of its new clubhouse.

The club, which first opened in 1887, has been making do with a temporary clubhouse since 1963, but Seaford Town Council finally gave the go ahead to construct a new £1.7m clubhouse on the site of the existing building two years ago, and the eyecatching facility is now open for all golfers and visitors to enjoy.

Facilities at the stunning new building include a full catering kitchen and bar with an outside balcony, where visitors will be able to take advantage of the views of Seaford Bay. A regular Sunday carvery lunch begins on March 29.

The stunning new clubhouse enjoys wonderful views over Seaford Bay

Ian Poult er and Justin Rose at Woburn in 2002

Speaking about the new facility, the club’s PGA professional, Fraser Morley, said: “Seaford really has a clubhouse to be proud of now, and we’re looking forward to serving the local community and visitors alike. Seaford has always been a popular society and green fee course, but the new clubhouse will enable the club to cater for larger groups and other functions, while continuing to support a vibrant membership. The facilities have been exceptionally well received by all those who have visited to date, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors as the golf season gets under way.”

The official opening ceremony will take place on April 18, when BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss will perform the ribbon-cutting duties on a day that will include a number of special events.

New-look Farleigh to host Surrey Masters The cream of the PGA South Region’s pros will be descending on Farleigh Golf Club this May, when the Croydon-based club stages the Sun Mountain PGA in Surrey Masters.

While the main event will be played over 36 holes of Farleigh’s ‘Purple’ layout on May 18-19, the PGA in Surrey Masters Pro-Am will be the event’s curtain raiser, taking place the day before the main tournament, for which the pros will be competitng for a prize fund of £3,750.

Farleigh’s general manager, Russell Stebbings, is delighted that pro golf is returning to the club. He said: “We are proud to be hosting the Surrey Masters at Farleigh. Since the Hayton Family bought the club, we have been on a journey to drive excellence at every opportunity, and it will be fantastic to welcome the PGA in May, and show them the ‘new Farleigh’.

Hopefully it will be the first of many events held at the club, and a great stepping stone in our development.”

To enter a pro-am team on May 18, call 01883 627711 or email neil@farleighfox.co.uk.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

NEWS | MARCH 2015

[7]

Penge pins hopes on Walker Cup before targeting pro game Talented young Sussex player Marco Penge is determined to sign off his amateur career in the best possible fashion, before turning his attentions to the professional arm of the game.

The 16 year old from Horsham is putting all his efforts into earning a place in the GB&I team for this year’s Walker Cup, before he faces the decision to try his hand at qualifying for the European Tour at the end of the year.

After being left out of the initial 20-man training squad announced by Walker Cup captain Nigel Edwards in January, Penge knew he had to make a fast start to edge his way into contention. But he came up one shot shy of the 36-hole cut in last month’s Portuguese Amateur Championship, and then was knocked out in the first round of the matchplay stages of the Spanish International Amateur Championship in Jerez.

Penge, who is a attached to Golf At Goodwood, will be 17 years and 120 days old when the Walker Cup takes place at Royal Lytham & St Annes in September, and if he makes the final ten-man team, to be announced in August, it would make him the third youngest player in the 94-year history of the event, behind Oliver Fisher and Goodwood stablemate Justin Rose.

“Playing in the Walker Cup is a huge ambition of mine. It is something I have wanted to do since I started playing golf, so everything is geared towards it this year,” said Penge. “I didn’t really expect to be in the initial squad, because that was based on last year’s results, and I didn’t play in that many of the qualifying events in 2014, but there is plenty of time to force my way into the team.

He added: “I feel like my game is in good shape

Marco Penge with mentor Justin Rose at Goodwood

Exclusive

7 DAy FLEXI-membership

and has come on a lot during the winter, so if I play well I don’t see any reason why I can’t make it. I’ll have to win an amateur tournament, and have some solid top fives in others, but I’m more than capable of that.”

The Lytham Trophy in May will be crucial to Penge’s hopes of forcing his way into the squad, as it is played over the same course as the Walker Cup, while June will be a pivotal month, as it includes the St Andrews Links, British Amateur, and Brabazon Trophy. Whether he makes the team or not, Penge is considering turning professional at the end of the year, with his intention to try to win a place on the European Tour through Qualifying School in November.

“If I have a really good year, I will consider turning pro. I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I’ll definitely go to Q School, and if I get my card I’ll go for it. I’m young, but I feel ready. My friend Renato Paratore turned pro at the end of last year at the age of 18, and has made the cut in all four events he has played so far, which shows if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”

FROM

ONLY

£495

.00

Play all of our Leaderboard Golf Courses, using your Flexi-Credits • 7 Day playing rights • No restricted tee times • Handicap Management • Access to competitions • Food and beverage discounts

Coles mines gold at Gog Magog Mayland’s professional Robert Coles took full advantage of benign conditions to win the PGA East Region Pro-Am held at Gog Magog with a stunning seven-under-par 63.

Coles’ superb round, which included seven birdies and no dropped shots, was good enough to take him four shots clears of James Webber (Three Rivers) and Paul Grotier (Essex Golf & Country Club), with Frinton’s Ed Glease in fourth following a creditable 68.

The result moved Coles into a joint first place with Webber in the PGA in Essex 2015 Order of Merit.

The Pro-Am was won by Paul Grotier’s team on countback from Webber’s team, after both returned 82 stableford points.

leaderboardgolf.co.uk

Former European Tour pro Robert Coles was in fine form at Gog Magog

For more information call 0844 482 3125

[8]

MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Hever pro launches driving school Golfers in the South East who are looking to improve their driving stats should take a trip down to Hever Castle Golf Club, where a PGA professional with a passion for the long game is helping players of all skill levels find more fairways off the tee.

Sam Pitcairn, teaching professional at the popular Edenbridge-based club, believes the old adage of ‘drive for show, putt for dough’ just doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny – and he wants to prove it.

Pitcairn, who joined Hever Castle last year, has set up a Driving Performance Coaching School, where he shows clients just how important length and accuracy off the tee can be when trying to lower scores.

He said: “I’ve regularly witnessed a lot

fit to make sure that you are maximising performance with the driver you are using as well as with your swing,” explained Pitcairn.

“A small adjustment to how a driver is made up, such as the correct length of the shaft, can have a massive effect on performance.”

He added: “I am offering an initial 90-minute assessment for £50, during which we will discuss what the client’s goals are, get some numbers off GC2/HMT and video their swing. I can then show the client where they are at the moment, and what they will need to change in order to achieve their goals. We can then work out a plan of action.”

To book a session with Sam Pitcairn, call 01732 700771 or visit www.sampitcairngolf.

GolfNews readers quoting this article can claim a £10 discount off the initial assessment fee.

of golfers suffering frustration off the tee because they lack distance – making it hard to reach the green in regulation – or have too much curvature on their shots.

Some recently published statistics confirm that driving is as important, if not more important, than the short game in terms of lowering scores. A 20-yard gain off the tee can cut two or three shots a round.”

Pitcairn uses all the latest swing analysis and launch monitor technology to assess where golfers are going wrong, and backed up by his trained eye, can offer ways of adding distance and accuracy with often the smallest of tweaks.

“Perhaps it’s a club issue and so, within the packages I’ve designed, there is a custom

Rediscover Farleigh for Royal St George’s votes to admit women members Royal St George’s Golf Club in Kent has brought an immediate close to its 127-year history as a male-only club, following an overwhelming vote by its members to end the club’s single-sex status.

Previously one of only three men-only golf clubs on the rota to host the Open Championship, club officials have said it will allow women to become members with immediate effect, after 90% of the current membership voted to change the club’s rules at an extraordinary general meeting held at the Sandwich-based club last month.

The move by St George’s will put pressure on the other two clubs – Royal Troon and Muirfield – to follow suit, although both have suggested in recent months that they will end their men-only policies.

A statement issued by Royal St George’s, said: “A resolution to alter the club’s rules to make ladies eligible for membership has been duly passed. Under the club’s rules, the resolution would only be passed if it obtained the support of three-quarters of the votes cast on the ballot. More than 81 percent of the full members took part in the ballot, and a decisive 90 per cent voted in favour of ladies being eligible for membership. The alteration of the club’s rules has immediate effect, and the club looks forward to welcoming ladies as junior and full members.”

Commenting on the result of the Royal St George’s ballot, a spokesman for the R&A said: “We welcome such a positive decision by the club’s members.”

TO BOOK A FREE TRIAL ROUND Call 01883 62 77 11 quoting GolfNews.

READER OFFER JOIN THE FARLEIGH FAMILY Farleigh currently offers sevenday membership costing £1,200 and five-day from £800.

New this season is our corporate bearer card memberships from only £2720 ex VAT for 4 membership cards.

t: 01883 62 77 11 e: neil@farleighfox.co.uk w: farleighfox.co.uk @farleigh

Old Farleigh Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PE 15 minutes from Junction 6, M25.

5 minutes from Selsdon and Warlingham.

NEWS | MARCH 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[9]

Beckenham Place under renewed closure threat Beckenham Place Park, one of London’s few remaining public golf courses, has been earmarked for closure after Lewisham Council unveiled plans to use the course for alternative leisure use.

Lewisham Council has been provisionally awarded a £4.9 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help restore the historic park, and the scheme includes plans to remove the existing golf course.

The proposal, which includes a new café, outdoor sports facilities, and the restoration of the park’s original lake, has passed the first stage of approval. The council

The historic golf course at Beckenham Place Park looks set to close

has already been given a development grant of £270,500, and it will receive the full amount after the second round of the application, which involves presenting more detailed plans, including evidence of wider public consultation. If the second round of applications proves successful, the new park should be open by 2018.

Campaigners from the ‘Save The Beckenham 18’ campaign say that the Heritage Lottery Fund was not informed that only 175 people were surveyed to gauge public support for the course. It is believed that around two-thirds of those wished to keep the course in some form, while only a third were in favour of it being returned to parkland.

Membership this Spring...

A spokesperson for the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “As part of their first round application, Lewisham Council provided us with percentages demonstrating the support of local residents from their initial consultation. We will require more information for the second round of the application process, including a conservation plan, and this will involve further consideration of the golf course’s future.”

David Hansom, secretary of Braeside Golf Club, which has its home at Beckenham Place, said: “The only time the park has enjoyed any public access has been since the laying out of the golf course. This is the historic public landscape of the park.”

Local resident Jenny Kay, one of many to express outrage at the plans to remove the course, said: “The plans to close the course are ludicrous. If it was well run, the course would generate sufficient revenue to cover its costs, and also generate revenue to fund other council activities. A ‘heritage’ park will generate very little revenue, but will have similar costs. The business case just doesn’t add up, let alone the loss of such a wonderful facility which is enjoyed by so many people, from such a diverse range of backgrounds.”

The par-69 course was first laid out in 1907, when the park was in private hands, and when London County Council bought the park in the 1920s the golf course remained on the site. Lewisham Council assumed responsibility for the course in 1971. The council says that there has been a 30 per cent decline in income since the peak of 2002, when more than 40,000 rounds were played.

Order your Society Guide now!

The Ultimate Guide to Society & Company Golf has been a musthave publication for every golf societyand company day organisers for many a year, and the 2015 version, is bigger and better than ever before.

Featuring many of the region’s finest clubs and courses, predominantly located in the South East, this indispensible, handy- sized, full-colour handbook provides all the information you’ll ever need to make your golf day a success.

Among details included are up-todate prices and packages for societies/ corporate’s and visitors, information on tee time restrictions, comprehensive directions, and local accommodation tips, as well as detailed descriptions of all the courses, with photographs.

As well as being available in print format, the 2015 guide can also be viewed at golfdayguide. com making it even more user-friendly.

For your free hard copy of the Ultimate Guide, email your Society/Company Name, number of members in your group, name and address to: info@golfnews.co.uk, with ‘Golf Day Guide’ in the subject line.

[10] MARCH 2015 | NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

BARHAM MASTERS WIND TO WIN AT LONDON CLUB

EPSOM UNVEILS SWING STUDIO Former European Tour star Nick Dougherty was on hand to open the new state-of-the-art indoor studio and golf simulator at Epsom Golf Club last month.

The 32-year-old professional joined lady captain Rita Collins in the official unveiling of the new facility, before playing a few holes on the simulator, and taking part in a nearest-the-pin competition. The indoor studio will provide both members and visitors with an all-weather area for practice and social game play, as well as a venue for professional indoor coaching, swing analysis, equipment testing and ball fitting.

The latest instalment of the PGA South Winter Series supported by Titleist & FootJoy saw PGA South Region champion Benn Barham shoot a four-under-par 68 around the International course at the London Golf Club to win the event, and the £555 first prize.

Mastering near gale-force winds, and very slippery putting surfaces, the former European Tour star made two birdies on the front nine and three more on the back nine, dropping just one shot at the 17th.

FOOTGOLF KICKS OFF IN BRIGHTON

While its professional football club may be toiling at the lower end of the Championship, amateur footballers in Brighton are being given the opportunity to practice their own soccer skills in a somewhat different environment following the opening of the city’s first Footgolf course at Waterhall Golf Course.

The publicly-owned 18-hole venue, which is located just north of Hove, has developed a permanent 9-hole Footgolf course that covers 1,120 yards. A round, which takes under an hour to play, costs £8 per player.

He edged out Richard Wallis (North Foreland) into second place with a two-under-par 70, with South Winchester’s Robert Gowers finishing third. Richard NeilJones’s 74 was enough to earn him the leading assistants’ ball, glove and shoe contract from the sponsors.

With just two tournaments to go in the PGA South Winter Series, the current leader is Scott Stevens (Staplehurst), closely pursued by Craig Ainsley (Wexham Park) and Max Brackley (Manston).

The next event is at Swinley Forest on April 2.

Experience Golf ’s Heritage Play at a friendly Club with heritage, founded 1889, and enjoy a challenging downland course with stunning views and great natural drainage.

OPEN WEEKEND 28TH - 29TH MARCH 2015 Special £10 green fee & a chance to win a FREE membership in a ‘nearest the pin’ competition on our new golf simulator.

Tee Times are limited and must be pre-booked on 01372 741867.

PATHWAY unique 3 month membership £200.

Full use of the course, club facilities & social events. Free lesson, gain a handicap and enter competitions.

MONDAY after 11am, £15.

WEDNESDAY over 60’s discount after 9.30am, £15.

MIDWEEK after 4pm, £17.50.

SUNDAY after 2pm, £20.

Society Golf Days* 18 HOLES, bacon rolls, coffee & golf simulator competition.

Monday after 11am, £22.50.

Tuesday - Thursday, £32.50.

Friday - Sunday, £37.50.

* Prices are per person and valid from 1st April 2015. Society Golf Days are for groups of 8 or more people.

For more details visit www.epsomgolfclub.co.uk

EPSOM GOLF CLUB

Despite fast greens and strong winds, there were some low scores recorded at the PGA East Region Pro-Am held at Orsett Golf Club in Essex.

None was lower than the 43 stableford points racked up by the partnership of Rayleigh Golf Range professional Mark Stokes and his amateur playing partner David Carne.

In the all-professional category, the form partnership of Jason Levermore (Channels) and Mark Davis (Thorndon Park) lived up to their tag as pre-tournament favourites by combining to produce 42 points.

This was good enough to win by one point from Andy Shakespear (The Warren) and Marc Dodd (Totally Golf).

The all-amateur category was won by the partnership of Ken Richardson and Colin Reynolds from Thorndon Park.

Chorleywood Golf Club in Hertfordshire is celebrating its 125th anniversary by offering golfers the chance to play the club’s course for just £12.50.

The club, which was founded on March 14, 1890, is offering the cut-price green fee – it is normally £22.50 – to the first 125 golfers to pay a green fee between March 14 and April 30.

The club has hosting a number of special events to mark the major milestone, including a five-course gala dinner held on March 14, when BBC broadcaster Rob Nothman was the guest speaker. The club is staging a three-way match with West Herts and Berkhamsted on April 18, with each team putting 10 men and 10 women, while May 8 sees a mixed competition, with men’s and ladies’ captains from local clubs partnering members. shire-summer-golf-QP-GN-01:Layout 1 12/3/15 14:11 Page or 1 call 01923 282009.

To make a booking, visit www.chorleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

Chorleywood offers cut-price green fee to celebrate 125th

Exclusive Membership Special Green Fees*

Stokes on fire at Orsett

Longdown Lane South, Epsom Downs, Surrey KT17 4JR. t: 01372 741867 / e: stuartwalker@epsomgolfclub.co.uk

NEWS | MARCH 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[11]

Greenwich academy to be Europe’s biggest The largest driving range and golf academy in Europe is set to form part of one of the most ambitious new housing and leisure developments currently being built in London.

The £5 billion, 25-year project, which will include the construction of 10,000 new homes, restaurants, business centres and parks on a 190-acre site reclaimed from marshland on the Greenwich Peninsula, is expected to transform the South East corner of the capital.

The Greenwich Peninsula Driving Range, which is due to open in June, will look out towards the west of the peninsula, with views over the Thames towards Tower Bridge. The range is a joint venture between the peninsula’s Hong Kong

The floodlit range will have 60 bays and a team of PGA pros to offer lessons

The N1Golf Academy will be close to the O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula

developer Knight Dragon and N1GOLF. Founded in 2007, N1 Golf already operates a dozen driving ranges around the UK, and its owner, PGA Professional Declan Malone, is confident that the sheer number of local residents, and the excellent transport links will make the range the busiest in the Europe.

Facilities at the academy will include a 60-bay, twotier floodlit driving range; a 3,000 square foot retail outlet; and a restaurant with a wine school. The range, which will be open seven days a week up until 10pm, will be 320 yards long and feature eight target greens.

The range will be located next to Greenwich Underground station, and only a two-minute tube ride from Canary Wharf.

Free membership up for grabs at Chipstead open weekend Golfers looking for to get an insight into what it would like to be a member at Chipstead Golf Club in Surrey are being invited to attend an Open Weekend being held on April 18-19.

For just £10, guests will be able to play the challenging 18-hole parkland course, have a free drink at the bar, make use of all the club’s facilities, talk to club pros and members, and have their name entered into a prize draw to win

a free year’s membership. There will also be a number of special offers, including two-for-one prices on full, five-day, and junior memberships for the first 50 people to join before April 30.

Chipstead’s Director of Golf, Gary Torbett, said: “We know that today’s golfers have an opportunity to experience quality golf at affordable prices and here at Chipstead we provide both. We have affordable membership

rates, including our new £400 flexible membership, competitive green fees, and society and corporate packages to suit all budgets.

As an added incentive to attend our Open Weekend, we will be giving away one year’s free membership away to one lucky customer.”

To book a place on the Open Weekend, call 01737 555781 or email office@chipsteadgolf.co.uk

Prince’s Golf Club 27 holes of Championship Links

Links and Lodges Packages from

£130.00pp Green Fees from

£50.00pp

To include 1 night Bed & Breakfast & 2 rounds of golf (based on 2 sharing a standard twin room) - The Lodge overlooking the links and the coast - 38 ensuite bedrooms - Range of bedrooms and comfortable apartments - 27 holes of Championship golf - Coffee and Bacon Roll served on arrival - Complimentary Prince’s Course Planner - 18 Holes of Championship Links Golf

GOLF NEWS READER OFFER June Green Fee offer – 1 in 12 go free!

Contact Richard or Mark on:

T: 01304 611118 E: office@princesgolfclub.co.uk W: www.princesgolfclub.co.uk Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9QB

/princesgolfclub

@Princesgolfclub

NEWS IN BRIEF OXFORD FOOTY STARS SIGN UP FOR FOOTGOLF CHARITY EVENT Oxford United FC is supporting a charity footgolf day next month and are encouraging supporters to sign up. The event will be held at Hinksey Heights Golf Club to raise money for SSNAP, which cares for sick and premature babies at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. There is space for 36 teams of four and the field will include Oxford United staff and former players.

Entry costs £40, and to book a place email Darrell Fisher at dazoufc@gmail.com or call 07881 900647.

FERNDOWN GOLF WEEK FESTIVAL TEES OFF IN MAY

Ferndown Golf Club in Dorset is staging its 18th Festival Week from May 17-24, when golfers from all over the country are invited to take part in range of open tournaments, including mens, ladies, mixed and junior events, as well as Pro-Am. More than 1,000 golfers are expected to take part, so spaces are limited. To book your place in any of the events, call 01202 653 953.

NEWS IN BRIEF SURVEY REVEALS UPSURGE IN UK ROUNDS PLAYED The number of rounds of golf played in the UK last year was up 3.5% on figures for 2013, a new survey has revealed. Research conducted by Sports Marketing Surveys showed that golf participation stabilised in 2014, just above the 3.3 million mark, offering hope to the golf industry after a decade of decline. Part of the reason for upsurge was the rise in female participation for the second consecutive year, while the number of people describing themselves as ‘avid’ golfers – those who play at least once a week – has also gone up.

CIPA DOMINATES AT BURNHAM

South Essex Golf Centre’s Steve Cipa conquered strong wins to card an impressive 66 at the Burnham on Crouch Pro-Am. His four-under-par score was good enough to win by five shots from the trio of James Webber, Mark Stokes and James Scade. The team event saw three groups tied on 81 points, with North Weald PGA Professional Sam Elliss’s team taking the honours on countback

EUROPEAN JUNIOR TOUR TACKLES GOODWOOD

More than 70 young golfers took on Golf At Goodwood’s testing Down’s course last month for a leg of the 2015 European Junior Golf Tour.

The tour provides playing experiences for juniors aged from six to 18, to develop their game in a competitive environment while playing on established championship courses.

Competitors from as far as Bristol and Wales were among the first to play the course since its recent bunker refurbishment, which provided the young competitors with an exciting challenge. A number of Goodwood’s own members featured prominently, with Chichester’s 16-year-old Leonardo Ruggieri claiming event honours in the under-17 age group with an impressive score of 75.

Nine-year-old Jamie Burchell, a Goodwood member from Chichester, was on top form in the under-nine category, clinching victory with a score of 40 for nine holes.

[12] MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Beaverbrook course takes shape at Cherkley Development of the controversial new golf resort at Cherkley Court in Surrey is moving apace, with irrigation systems already having been installed at the 400acre, 18-hole course near Leatherhead.

Called Beaverbrook Golf Club, in recognition of the family that formerly owned the estate, the course is being co-designed by David McLay Kidd and Tom Watson, and is on schedule to open in summer 2016.

In addition to the golf course, the £90 million project will also see the grade II-listed building, famous for being the former residence of press baron Lord Beaverbrook, converted into a luxury hotel, health club and spa.

Among the first contractors on site was irrigation and turf machinery specialists Toro, which has installed a state-of-theart irrigation and sprinkler system that will allow Beaverbrook’s greenkeepers to remotely control it to ensure efficient and controlled use of water. The company is also supplying all the mowers and utility vehicles needed to maintain the parkland

Tim Edwards, centre, with Lely’s Jeff Anguige, left, and Toro’s Andrew Brown at Beaverbrook Golf Club

course.

Tim Edwards, a director of developer Longshot Cherkley Court, said: “We are aiming to become the most exclusive private golf club in the UK, and everything about this project is about finding and using the best of the best, so it’s only right that we chose Toro to be a part of our future plans.”

Despite joining fees reported to be in excess of £100,000, membership sales at the ultra-exclusive club are reported to have been ‘brisk’.

A legal appeal by campaigners to stop the development going ahead was thrown out of the High Court in December last year.

PEPPERELL TELLS TOUR TALES FOR FRILFORD FANS Rising European Tour star Eddie Pepperell entertained a packed clubhouse at a special evening held at Frilford Heath Golf Club last month.

The 24 year old from Abingdon, who is currently ranked 118th in the world and 36th in the Race to Dubai rankings, took part in a question-and-answer session alongside his caddie Jamie Herbert, with the pair being interviewed by Frilford Heath’s executive director Alistair Booth, before being quizzed by the audience.

This is the third year in a row that Pepperell has returned to his home club to host a Q&A session, during which time the audience has risen from 75 in 2013, to 125 last year, and over 200 this year.

Questions varied from his favourite course – Zandvoort in the Netherlands – to his favourite playing partners.

In an informative evening spent discussing his life on

Prince’s prepares to host Lucas Spoon The 27th renewal of the Laddie Lucas Spoon is being held at Prince’s Golf Club on April 15.

The tournament, which is sponsored

by The Golfing Society of Great Britain, is held in honour of the late ‘Laddie’ Lucas, who was co-founder of the Sandwich-based club.

The Spoon is a scratch competition open to juniors aged between eight and 13 years old. No handicaps are required, but there are also various handicap competitions and prizes awarded for age categories. The scratch winner will be presented with the Spoon, a club used by Lucas ([picted above) during his youth, which is held permanently on display in the clubhouse.

This year’s event is also being sponsored by Ian Poulter Design, with the winner invited to play in the Ian Poulter Invitational, which is held at Woburn every year.

The cost to enter, which includes a light lunch, is £15. Entry forms can be downloaded from www. princesgolfclub.co.uk or by emailing proshop@ princesgolfclub.co.uk.

Prince’s is also hosting an Adult & Junior Fourball Betterball Open on April 14, which is an ideal warmup round for those juniors taking part in the Spoon the following day, while a Mixed Open Greensomes 27-hole tournament is being staged on April 19.

The scene of accident at Thetford Golf Club

Chigwell man killed during golf day at Norfolk club Pepperell entertained Frilford’s members with his annual Q&A session

tour, Pepperell admitted to having snapped 15 clubs last year, and said he had put on two stone of muscle over the last two years thanks to his exercise and fitness regime.

Having been sponsored

by Frilford Heath Golf Club since he turned professional in 2011, Pepperell has pledged to donate £8,000 a year towards the development of junior players in Oxfordshire.

Speaking at the end of the evening, he said: “I wasn’t expecting as many as last year, and it was great to see so many people interested in what I’m up to. It also gives me an opportunity

to give something back to the club that has supported me, and to share some of my experiences as a tour pro.”

Despite pulling out of last month’s Malaysian Open with illness, Pepperell has made a promising start to 2015, with a fourth place at the Qatar Masters in January being a highlight.

Alistair Booth, Frilford Heath’s executive director, said: “Many golfing pundits believe Eddie is going to be on the winner’s rostrum in the not too distant future, and we’re proud to be associated with him.”

He returns to action at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco on March 26.

An Essex-based golf society’s day out ended in tragedy last month when one of its members was killed after being hit by a van midway through the round.

Ted McDermott died on February 28 during a visit to Thetford Golf Club in Norfolk. Mr McDermott was part of a group of 70 golfers from Chigwell Golf Society. He died after being run over while attempting to cross the road between the fifth and sixth holes of the course.

Members and staff of the club tried to resuscitate the 78-year-old pensioner by using a defibrillator, but he died at the scene. Thetford club manager Malcolm Grubb said that Mr McDermott had been using a trolley to carry his clubs as he tried to cross the road. He said he was following his two companions, who had already safely crossed, but it was unclear what had happened next.

“It’s a tragedy, especially as they came here to have a nice day playing golf,” said Mr Grubb. “We are desperately sad that the day has ended in this way. Everything was done to try and resuscitate the man, including our own staff using a defibrillator we have recently bought. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful, but they kept trying until the paramedics arrived.”

EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

An experience you will treasure LIMITED MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

» from only £1500 » with Junior memberships £200

Visit the No.1 Golf Shop in Sussex With free club fitting on top brands

»» Priority booking on two championship courses »» All Weather Driving Range (plus free range balls) »» Short Game Area and Putting Greens »» Members Only Bar and Restaurants »» Full Competition and Events Calendar »» Bag Drop, Free Club Storage and Hospitality Service »» Free Use of Pull Trolleys »» No Temporary Greens orTees.

Visit us and find out more: www.eastsussexnational.co.uk Tel: 01825 880256 Email: golf@eastsussexnational.co.uk East Sussex National, Little Horsted, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5ES

Extra members’ benefits and discounts available at Horsted Health Club, Spa and Hotel

[14] FEBRUARY 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

KINGSWOOD INVITES YOU TO STAY & PLAY With luxury accommodation and a recently-renovated Braid-designed Championship course, it’s no wonder Kingswood Golf & Country Club is attracting golfers from all over the UK to its stunning Surrey venue

I’

ve had the pleasure – sometimes a dubious one – of staying in a few dormy houses in my 20 years as a golf journalist, but it’s safe to say that none of them are quite like the one that has recently opened at Kingswood Golf & Country Club in Surrey.

While a dormy house conjures up images in my mind of a draughty, damp single room in a converted greenkeeper’s shed, with a thin towel to cover your modesty in the cold water-only shower, and a 35-watt lightbulb for heat, it turns out things have moved on considerably since I was last required to stay overnight at a golf club that didn’t have a hotel attached to it.

While having to stop short of calling itself a hotel, because it doesn’t offer 24-hour room service, the accommodation on offer at Kingswood is far superior to all but the most luxurious five-star establishments I’ve stayed at in recent years and, in many cases, puts them to shame.

Last summer’s opening of The Lodge at Kingswood opened up a whole new market to this traditional Surrey members’ club, which was first opened in the 1920s. With 18 luxuriouslyappointed en-suite rooms available for guests within putting distance of the 18th green – and stumbling distance from the clubhouse bar – it’s no wonder The Lodge has proved such a welcome addition to the facilities for visiting golfers, societies, weddings and corporate guests.

As well as the new accommodation being a boon for golf breaks business and social functions, club officials have been slightly surprised at the interest shown by its 570plus members, many of whom have taken advantage of having such comfortable lodgings on the doorstep after enjoying one of the club’s

F MEMB1RST ERSH IP

£500 BE THE F1RST TO JOIN KINGSWOOD’S NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY!

numerous social events just a little too much, shall we say.

The ambition of Kingswood’s owners is → 10 rounds of golf → Monthly (7-day access) competitions laudable in these testing → 4 private lessons, → Members discount economic times for golf clubs, 1 group lesson card and while they could easily → 26 baskets of range → Official club have saved money on fixtures balls handicap and fittings for what, in many For details call 01737 832334, cases, are only one or twoemail proshop@kingswood-golf.co.uk night stays, they’ve certainly not done so here, with baths imported from Germany, hand-made Italian furniture, and an attention to detail that only comes from having first-hand experience of what top-end boutique hotels have to offer.

From the fashionable dark wood furniture

to the fluffy towels and comfortable beds, and the Kingswood-branded toiletries in the stylish bathrooms (which feature rain-forest showers and heated floors), it’s all just so. Throw in a Nespresso coffee machine, flatscreen plasma TVs (with free Sky Sports and Sky Movies) and Wi-Fi, and you’re all set for a comfortable stay at any time of the year.

Kingswood is clearly on the move. Thankfully, the 88-year-old club, which is located a few miles east of Walton Heath, has no plans to shift its glorious setting overlooking the Chipstead Valley, but is merely moving with the times.

And nowhere is this philosophy more clearly shown than out on the 18-hole championship course, which has been transformed over the last few years into something of a modern masterpiece. Built in 1927, and designed by legendary architect James Braid, Kingswood

PAGE NAME | MARCH 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

has recently undergone a carefullyconsidered and professionallyexecuted renovation programme that has seen the course updated to maintain its status as being one of the finest in the region, with a challenge to match.

The Dwellcourt Group, which took over the ownership of the club just over 20 years ago, has invested heavily, and wisely, in bringing the clubhouse and the course up to the standards fitting of such an historic club, making it both relevant and attractive to the needs of the modern golfer.

Located on top of the North Downs, Braid produced a parkland layout that made it an instant classic. But, as with all good things, time and technology had taken its toll, and owner Tom Hilliard made the bold decision to implement a complete review of the course to see how it could be updated, while still reinstating the characteristics of Braid’s original design. Under the guidance of Essex-based architect Howard Swan, the course has seen a raft of improvements to the playing conditions, including an extensive re-bunkering programme, which brings strategic thinking to the fore.

The result is that the 6,954-yard layout is now punctuated with exciting risk-and-reward shots, making the course both memorable and challenging.

It has proved a fitting venue for a British Senior Open Championship regional qualifier, while a significant number of charity and society golf days, including the Household Cavalry, Variety Club, Shooting Stars, and the Kingswood Pro-Am, have all discovered what a superb venue it is for hosting large-scale events.

STAY & PLAY SUMMER PACKAGES (APR 1 - OCT 25) One night’s B&B accommodation, two rounds of golf, two people sharing a twin or double room, £145pp.

Two nights’ B&B accommodation, three rounds of golf (including buggy), £255pp.

FOR BOOKINGS CALL 01737 832188 or email sales@kingswood-golf.co.uk

At almost 7,000 yards off the back tees, distance is also a big factor in any round here.

The par-four eighth, at 442-yards off the whites, is quite understandably rated as the hardest hole on the course, while the 16th, which measures a fearsome 470 yards, is another fine example of why power and precision are required in equal measure to score well here. The short holes are no less exacting, with the third, at almost 200 yards to a two-tiered green, being a particular challenge. However, with no hidden trickery or blind shots to contend with, it is possible for even the first-time visitor to put together a good score.

[15]

Week day green fees for the coming season have been set at £65, reflecting the sheer quality of the experience on offer here, while midafternoon (£38) and twilight (£30) green fees are also available for visitors, making a game here eminently affordable.

For those that would like to make Kingswood their home – well, home club, as the properties around here are rather more expensive – the club now offers four different types of full membership. This year sees the launch of a new category called F1RST membership (see panel for details), which is designed as a introduction to the game for new and lapsed golfers. Costing £500, it offers a combination of lessons and rounds, as well as access to club competitions, a handicap, and the social side of the club.

The next level up is the Flexible membership, which is ideal for time-pressured golfers. It offers discounted green fees every time you play, and is a cost-effective package for golfers who can only play 25-35 rounds a year. Above that is a £1,599 five-day membership that allows unlimited golf during the week and discounted weekend green fees, while the £2,099 seven-day membership offers unlimited golf at all times. An intermediate Colt membership is available to those aged between 18-30, making membership more affordable for the younger generation.

Location is always a key factor in the success of any course, and on that score Kingswood takes maximum points. Just three miles from junction 8 of the M25, Tadworth is easily accessible from all parts of south and west London and the Home Counties. So the next time you’re thinking of organising a golf day, taking a golf break, or if you are looking to join a club that puts the needs of its members first, then Kingswood should be at the top of your list.

NEWS IN BRIEF EPSOM TO HOLD OPEN WEEKEND Epsom Golf Club in Surrey is hosting its annual Open Weekend on March 28-29, when local golfers are invited to play the course for just £10. Visitors can also enter a nearest-the-pin competition on the simulator for the chance to win a free threemonth trial membership, which is worth £200. To book a tee time for the Open Day, or enquire about membership, call 01372 741867.

FRILFORD TEES OFF PGA SOUTH SEASON

The 2015 Virgin Atlantic PGA (South) Order of Merit tees off for its new season next month with a new event held at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire. In a schedule packed with visits to some of the region’s top courses, June sees the PGA Southern Open Championship being staged at East Sussex National East Course, while The PGA Surrey Open is once again hosted by Kingswood Golf Club, where Chris Gane will be the defending champion.

WENTWORTH BEGINS BMW COUNTDOWN

Wentworth Club has taken the decision to restrict play on its West, East and Edinburgh courses to members only from the beginning of April until after the BMW PGA Championship finishes on May 24. The club is honouring any golf days booked for those dates before the new rule was introduced.

MAIDENHEAD CAPTAINS GO THE EXTRA MILE The captains of Maidenhead Golf Club handed over a cheque for over £16,000 to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service last month, following a year-long series of fundraising events by members of the Berkshire club. The highlight of the year saw club captains Peter O’Hara and Gail Walton take part in the Four Country Golf Challenge, which involved playing a round of golf in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England in a 24-hour period.

[16] MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Golf bids farewell to the man behind Walton Heath’s revival Bill McCrea, one of the key figures involved with Walton Heath Golf Club’s hosting of the 1981 Ryder Cup, and a talented amateur golfer in his own right, has died.

Secretary at the Surrey course during the 1970s and 80s, following a career in the RAF, where he reached the rank of Wing Commander, McCrea was influential in staging of the European Open at Walton Heath in 1978, creating a 7,200-yard composite layout to test the game’s best players.

Just three years later it hosted one of the strongest American teams in Ryder Cup history, including the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin and Tom Kite. The matches, won 18.5-9.5 by the visitors, marked the first time that a European team, rather than a GB & Ireland team, had played on home soil. John Jacobs captained Europe, with a side that contained future major winners Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle, and a young Bernhard Langer.

McCrea agreed a fee with the PGA of £6,000 for staging the matches, plus a percentage of revenue from tickets sold via the club, but he paid that sum back to the PGA in return for the exclusive rights to sell golf merchandise to spectators, with the profits shared between the club and its then head professional Ken Macpherson.

A talented player in his own right,

The 1981 US Ryder Cup team and (left) Bill McRea

McCrea was good enough to represent Ireland in the Home Internationals on a number of occasions, making his debut at the mature age of 44. As well as helping Ireland to win the European Team Championship in 1965, and winning the Hertfordshire county championships, he also won the Austrian Open Amateur in the same year, and the Dutch Open Amateur in 1966.

Former European Tour chief executive Ken Schofield led the tributes to the great man. He said: “Bill cut a powerful figure for many years at Walton Heath, and rightly so. He masterminded Walton Heath’s return to tournament golf when the European Open required a Londonbased club to act as host venue in 1978.

The tournament provided the club with a ready-made opportunity to host the Ryder Cup matches in 1981, when The Belfry’s owners opted to defer their hosting until 1985. Those Ryder Cup matches ensured Walton Heath’s place in golf’s history books, and may be seen as Bill’s finest legacy. He was a man of strong integrity, loyal and devoted to the game of golf, and his beloved Walton Heath. He will be missed, but not forgotten.”

Southern pros turn out in force to support Sunshine Pro-Am Set up by the Surrey PGA professionals Chris Evans (Tandridge) and Matt Paget (Royal Mid-Surrey), the eighth Sunshine ProAm raised an impressive £5,800 for Kent-based charity Demelza House, and a further £1,100 for the British Heart Foundation.

The invitation-only, five-round tournament saw 23 four-man teams tackle Quinta do Lago’s North and South courses and Laranjal.

First place was shared between Rob McGuirk (Prince’s) and Paul Page (West Malling), who both shot a total of five-under-par 283 for their selected four rounds, taking home £875 each.

Over the past eight years, the Sunshine Pro-Am has raised well over £20,000 for the region’s selected charity. To raise funds at the 2015 event, European Tour player Matt Ford donated two days of his time, so that he and a team of three can play at The London Club, and another team can join him for a day at Littlestone.

This year saw an additional fundraising opportunity for the British Heart Foundation, an idea born of Evans’s own experience with his own son, who needed heart surgery last December. As the British Heart Foundation’s golf day happened to fall in the same week, 96 red caps, sourced by Titleist, were also auctioned to raise £1,100 for the charity.

Aldwickbury unveils clubhouse facelift

Golfers visiting Aldwickbury Park in Hertfordshire can look forward to enjoying smart new facilities at the Harpenden-based club, following the completion of a £750,000 redevelopment of its function room and clubhouse facilities.

The majority of the sizeable investment by the club’s owners, BGL Group, focused on the FenwickAmes Suite. The new function room, which can accommodate up to 200 people, has a separate entrance from the main clubhouse, and will be used to host cocktail parties, private dinners, conferences and weddings.

The club’s bar has also doubled in size as a result of the refurbishment, while a new kitchen is three times the size of its predecessor, making catering for larger functions a much easier proposition.

Andrew Shewbridge, the club’s general manager, said: “We are thrilled with the new-look suite and clubhouse, which we feel combine modern, highquality facilities with a fresh, contemporary feel. The Fenwick-Ames Suite will prove a real asset, while improvements to our kitchen and club bar will further enhance the experience for all those visiting the club.”

Steve Adkins and Robert Turner

Billericay duo take pairs title in Morocco An amateur duo from Essex has won the national senior pairs title at the grand final of the Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo. Steve Adkins and Robert Turner, clubmates at Stock Brook Manor Golf Club in Billericay, came through five rounds in Morocco to secure the title, winning three matches and halving the other two.

The trip to the grand final was reward for battling through local rounds and a regional final during 2014, in a competition open to any golfer who is a member of an affiliated club with an officiallyrecognised handicap.

They were just two of 30 golfers from across the UK who qualified for the grand final, which featured four competitions – singles, pairs, mixed pairs, and senior pairs for those aged 50 or more.

A delighted Adkins, who plays off two, said: “It was a fantastic week. To go out at this time of year, to play golf in this weather, on such great courses, was tremendous. We improved as the week went on, and our final round, on the Red Course, was our best.”

Turner, who has a five handicap, added: “With an entry fee of £25, it’s certainly been money well spent. And we’ll be back this year trying to retain the title.”

[18] MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Hell Bunker gets major makeover One of the most feared hazards in golf, the Hell Bunker on the Old Course’s 14th hole, is currently undergoing a complete overhaul ahead of the Open Championship, which begins on July 16.

The monster bunker, which has ruined

The new Hell Bunker will be back in play next month

the rounds of many a top professional and hundreds of hapless amateurs over the years, is being completely rebuilt as one of a number of maintenance projects that have been taking place over the winter in order to smarten up the Old Course’s appearance in readiness for the Open.

At 300 square metres, Hell Bunker is one of four large bunkers on the course – there are 115 in total ­– that get rebuilt on a rolling four-year basis to keep them in shape. A team of five greenkeepers undertook the job of digging out the

old face, removing the old sand, pulling back turf on the top of the bunker, filling it up with new sand and returfing.

Hell Bunker in 2014 The bunker, which will be back in play by the end of March, had to be built up to threequarters of its intended height and then left for several weeks to bed in before the reconstruction was completed.

In order to bring the terror of the infamous trap to TV viewers at this year’s

Open, the R&A has given the go-ahead for a camera to be inserted into the face of the bunker, which will give armchair viewers an inside view of players’ attempts to escape the bunker, whose face is angled at 65 degrees.

Broome Manor honours longserving pro

Broome Manor Golf Club in Wiltshire has awarded a lifetime honorary membership to PGA Pro Barry Sandry in recognition of his 36 years of service.

Sandry joined the club as Head PGA Professional in 1976, when the course first opened, and not only guided many young golfers to become PGA professionals, but also coached top golfers, including double Ryder Cup winner David Howell.

In 1977, he was instrumental in setting up Broome Manor Golf Club, so that regular players could obtain an official EGU handicap to enable them to play in competitions, and he also played a key role in the development of the Swindon venue, including helping redesign the layout of the original course to expand it from 18 holes to 27.

Sandry also started the Junior Golf Academy, offering regular weekly coaching for junior girls and boys, some of whom – including Howell, Gary Harris, Vicky Hanks and Debbie Watt – went on to represent their country. Sandry was awarded the Golf Foundation Sinclair award in 2006 in recognition of his work in the development of junior golf.

No mean player himself, Sandry won the Wiltshire Professional Golf Championship six times and also the Wiltshire Professional Match Play Championship.

NEWS | MARCH 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

CROYDON’S WORLD OF GOLF UP FOR SALE One of South East’s most popular driving ranges, The World of Golf in Croydon, has been put up for sale.

Featuring a 24-bay floodlit range, an 18-hole adventure golf course, and a golf retail outlet, Bill Woodman the venue has an annual turnover of £700,000, and is on the market at a guide price of £250,000 with sales agents HMH Golf & Leisure.

Previously known as Croydon Golf Centre, World of Golf took over the South London site from PGA professional Bill Woodman in 2008.

Woodman started out as the professional at Royal Winchester

before moving to Beckenham Place Park, where he made a name for himself by piling up vast hoards of equipment in the cavernous basement of the Grade I listed mansion, which also acted as the clubhouse. He moved the entire operation to Croydon Golf Centre in the early 1990s.

World of Golf already operates three other ranges in the UK, including one at nearby New Malden, which it has made substantial improvements to in recent years. Its other two venues are in Sidcup and Glasgow.

Sky bags Women’s British Open TV rights

Lydd to host new Kent PGA Closed Championship

[19]

Lydd will provide a new challenge for many of Kent’s top pros

Lydd Golf Club looks set to raise its profile in the region after being selected to host The PGA in Kent Closed Championship for the next three years.

The first staging of the newly-created tournament, which is open to Kent’s elite amateurs and PGA Professionals, takes place on April 22, with a prize fund of £3,000 on offer to the leading professionals, and plenty of prizes for amateur competitors.

Lydd’s chief executive Charles Buchanan, is relishing the opportunity to showcase the club to a wider audience. He said: “I am very excited about the decision to host the tournament at Lydd, and its potential to raise the club’s profile, showcase the course to Kent’s premier golfers, and let them see its true strengths for themselves.”

He added: “Lydd is proving itself to be a fine modern golfing challenge designed in the links tradition. In keeping with that, the excellent work of our team over recent years

has developed a course that is nicely exposed to winds that can change the challenge in minutes, combined with exceptionally fine greens that will test the very best players.”

County PGA scretary Sam Smith was equally pleased. He said: “The PGA in Kent Closed Championship is really going to extend the ways in which we can make the relationship between both professional and amateur organisations and golfers, especially for those amateurs that want to pursue careers in golf, maybe even for some who are thinking about a future in the PGA.”

R I C H M O N D PA R K

GOLF COURSE LO N D O N

36 HOLES | PAY & PLAY | MEMBERSHIPS | ACADEMY COURSE | DRIVING RANGE | FAMILY RESTAURANT

Following last month’s decision to move live television coverage of the Open Championship to Sky, the Ladies Golf Union has announced that its flagship event, the Women’s British Open, is to follow suit, taking all live coverage to Sky from 2017.

The LGU and IMG, which manages the championship, have secured a five-year deal with the satellite broadcaster, which will begin in 2017.

All four days of the tournament will be shown live on Sky, with the BBC broadcasting a one-hour highlights programme each day. The BBC’s final live coverage of the tournament will take place at Woburn in 2016.

ROUND FOR A

POUND BOOK NOW

www.glendalegolf.co.uk

Mill Green raises record sum for disabled golf charity Mill Green Golf Club’s members helped raise over £5,000 for the Disabled Golf Association following a year-long series of event held at the Hertfordshire-based venue in 2014.

Club captain Ken Gordon and Mill Green’s general manager Phil Stokes presented a cheque to the Disabled Golf Association’s chief executive, Stan Bembenek, who lost his left leg and half his pelvis to bone cancer, and the association’s events co-ordinator Graeme Robertson, at a special presentation held at the club last month.

After receiving the generous donation on behalf of the DGA, Mr Robertson said: “We’d like to thank all the members at Mill Green who have believed in the work we do, and the difference DGA makes to the lives of disabled and impaired people across the country. This donation is by far the largest single donation we have received, and represents an incredible effort by the members at Mill Green.”

For detals about disabled golf events taking place in the South East this summer, including tournaments at Birchwood Park on March 20, and South Bucks on May 14, visit www.disabledgolf.org.uk.

Our famous offer is back!

Play Richmond Park Golf Course for just one pound!

That's right - for just one pound you can play a round of 18 holes at Richmond Park Golf Course, London.

As a special treat for our Loyaltee card holders, we're making selected online tee times available for a week from Monday 30th March to Sunday 5th April.

This amazing offer is only available to Loyaltee card holders. Register for free today on our website or when you arrive at the clubhouse.

Book your Round for a Pound online today! www.glendalegolf.co.uk

Tel: 0208 876 3205 | Email: richmondpark@glendalegolf.co.uk

PGA 2013 Surrey Open Host Venue

[20] MARCH 2015 | FEATURE

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

LOST COURSES

SHILLINGLEE PARK, WEST SUSSEX IN THE SECOND PART OF A NEW SERIES ON GOLF COURSES THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US, JEREMY ELLWOOD LOOKS BACK ON THE LIFE OF SHILLINGLEE PARK GOLF CLUB IN WEST SUSSEX, WHERE RISING INTEREST RATES PUT PAID TO A SMALL, BUT MUCH-LOVED NINE-HOLE COURSE

L

ast month we looked back at Moatlands, a top-end Kent course that lasted just 15 years. This month we revisit a once thriving nine-hole course in West Sussex at the opposite end of golf’s spectrum, which finally succumbed in 2002, when a Mr Wedge – somewhat ironically – bought the land, but didn’t want a golf course.

Shillinglee Park, which is located close to the Surrey border near Chiddingfold, was the brainchild of Roger Mace, who bought the land back in 1980. “There was a primitive course there that hardly had any use and was in terrible condition,” Mace recalls. “But I recognised the potential.”

Demand exceeded supply back then, and Mace’s Shillinglee found itself a niche as a feeder course.

“There were no courses right around us, and every course nearby had a waiting list,” he reflects. “The only way to get on a waiting list was to get a handicap, and the only way to get a handicap was to join a club. It was Catch 22. People came to Shillinglee for a couple of years, got their handicaps, then went off

THEN to join Hankley Common, Farnham or Hindhead.”

That’s as maybe, but Shillinglee was a delightful little course in its own right, as I remember from a couple of matches in the mid1990s while representing Horsham Golf. It measured just 2,516 yards, but was more than capable of defending itself, thanks to holes like the 7th, a par four with a testing approach over a couple of ponds to a raised green. The two holes

before that were set apart in a kind of paddock, which apparently was once a cricket pitch where WG Grace used to play. “It was a really good little course, and quite difficult too,” Mace remembers fondly. It also boasted a unique short course in the grounds of a walled garden – which is now an Equestrian Centre.

The club boasted hundreds of members and pay-and-play regulars, so just what went wrong? “The demise was a bit silly really,” Mace admits. “As golf was booming, I bought another course with my brother-in-law for £1.5 million. The day we bought

NOW

it, the recession started, interest rates went up to 17%, and we just couldn’t afford it. The bank eventually allowed me to leave there, but they put a debt on Shillinglee. I got a bit behind – not a lot of money really, which I could have borrowed, but I decided to call their bluff, thinking they wouldn’t pull the rug out from under me. But they did!”

Mace departed in the late 1990s, the bank took over, and Shillinglee then passed into the hands of Gary Baxter, a keen golfer who wanted to make it work.

But it wasn’t to be, and in 2002, the aforementioned Mr Wedge acquired the land, leading to the course’s closure.

When I last stopped by a few years ago, it still looked like an overgrown golf course. Not any more, it seems. “Whenever I go past I can’t stop myself calling in,” Mace admits. “I wish I didn’t, because I feel so sad when I do. I really loved that place.”

I tell him it had still looked like a golf course on my last visit. “I think you’d have a job making out that there was ever a golf course there now,” he replies sadly.

SUMMER

Be Driven...

Summer golf days

GOLF BREAKS

GOLF SOCIETIES from £19.50pp

Prices frozen from 2014

Summer golf days for 12 people or more starting from just £18.50 for seniors (senior 63+) and £26.50 per person (adults)

1 in every 15 players goes FREE and every player will receive a Free small bucket of balls for use on the range.

Call the office on 01344 302030 for availability and prices.

Downshire Golf Complex Easthampstead Park, Wokingham RG40 3DH Tel: 01344 302030 Fax: 01344 301020 Email: downshiregc@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/downshiregolf www.facebook.com/downshiregolf

FROM £80 PPPN INCLUDES 18 HOLES

2 CO U R S E D I N N E R OVERNIGHT STAY & BREAKFAST

OUR NEW HOTEL IS OPENING IN APRIL SO UPGRADE FOR ONLY £10PPPN FREE USE OF OUR NEW STATE OF THE ART GYM Contact the pro shop today to check for availability

01622 890866

Maidstone Road, Headcorn, Kent TN27 9PT Email: proshop@weald-of-kent.co.uk

www.weald-of-kent.co.uk

BOOK USING CODE GB15EB AND RECEIVE A SECOND ROUND ABSOLUTELY FREE

Society days in style... by the sea!

Seaford Head Golf Club To celebrate the opening of our new £1.7m clubhouse we are offering some great Society and Golf Day packages.

PAR

BIRDIE

EAGLE

ALBATROSS

■ Full English Breakfast + Coffee ■ 18 holes £24.00 pp (Midweek) £27.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

■ Full English Breakfast + Coffee ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £31.00 pp (Midweek) £34.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

■ Coffee & Bacon Roll ■ 18 Holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu £28.00 pp (Midweek) £31.00 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

■ Coffee & Bacon Roll ■ 9/18 holes ■ Selection from Society lunch menu ■ 18 holes ■ Selection from Society dinner menu £44.50. pp (Midweek) £47.50 pp (Weekend & Bank Hols)

All society packages can be tailored to meet your own specifications.

Minimum 12 people. Please call the Pro Shop on 01323 890139.

OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING with Peter Alliss on 18th April 2015.

Seaford Head Golf Club Southdown Road, Seaford, BN25 4JS Tel: 01323 890139 www.seafordheadgolfclub.co.uk

[22] MARCH 2015 | COURSE REVIEW

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE

WINDLESHAM WAY Maintaining its mantra of ‘continuous improvement in the search for perfection’, Windlesham Golf Club is managing to stay one step ahead of the competition

E

ver since it first opened in the mid-1990s, the proprietary-owned Windlesham Golf Club has always sought to go the extra mile to make playing the course or visiting the clubhouse something of ‘an experience’, rather than just a run-of-the-mill outing.

It is an attitude that has served the Bagshotbased club well over the last 20-odd years, and explains why it continues to retain a large and loyal membership, as well as attract a steady flow of new members, visiting golfers and golf days.

The Surrey venue has been a hive of activity in recent years, with numerous improvements to the 6,650-yard championship golf course, while the spacious and contemporary clubhouse is almost unrecognisable from the one that welcomed the very first members and guests.

Conceived and constructed during the height of the golf boom that swept the nation two decades ago, Windlesham has not only survived, but positively thrived over the intervening period, and now takes pride in being one of the most successful – and accessible – golf clubs in an area of Surrey that is more generally known for its ‘keep out’ signs.

The management’s commitment to continued investment in the facilities has paid dividends in these competitive times, with the

The superb Tommy Horton-designed course is set up to challenge the best, but is playable for all skill levels

stylish clubhouse and its popular restaurant making it a place that members are justifiably proud to bring guests, not just for a game of golf, but for lunch and a wide variety of social events.

Capable of hosting up to 120 diners, the restaurant has proved a huge hit with customers, offering the kind of dining experience that few clubhouse kitchens could ever hope to replicate. The main bar and lounge area offers a light and airy space, with

huge sliding windows and skylights making the transition from course to clubhouse almost seamless.

The golf shop, which has always been one of Windlesham’s selling points, occupies a generous space at the front of the building overlooking the course, with plenty of space for all the latest equipment and clothing ranges, as well as an impressive club-fitting studio where equipment can be tweaked to fit personal preferences.

COURSE REVIEW | MARCH 2015 [23]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Windlesham enjoys a well-balanced membership, with a busy women’s section and a growing number of juniors junior

The Golf Shop is stocked with all the latest equipment, apparrel and accessories

Other areas enjoying an upgrade include the club’s golf academy, where PGA Head Professional Lee Mucklow, Advanced PGA Fellow and Lead Coach for England Boys Squad Jermey Bennett, and Senior Instructors Richard Bishton and Ben Ross offer a wide range of lesson and tuition packages, from weekend roll-ups to one-on-one sessions using the state-of-the-art swing analysis technology.

Used by many of Surrey County teams and a growing number of tour pros, the practice facilities have recently benefitted from a new all-weather Huxley winter tee.

Also the subject of considerable investment is the Tommy-Horton-designed parkland layout, which continues to thrive under the stewardship of course manager Alastair Higgs.

He and his team have skillfully implemented many of the improvements outlined in a 10year course management plan undertaken by renowned architects Hawtree Ltd. This has included a total bunker renovation programme, which has resulted in these hazards being more visible from the tees and from the fairway; the construction of new tees, the introduction of run-offs around several greens, and the reshaping of a number of fairways – all of which has served to place more of an emphasis on accuracy and good course management, as well as improving traffic management around the greens.

The latest changes include a total renovation of the par-five 18th hole, with new back and forward tees, and the addition of five new bunkers to create the kind of thrilling finale that a course of this quality deserves.

The course is always presented in tip-top condition, with hand-cut greens, tees and approaches, and neatly-striped fairways giving the impression of an extremely well cared for layout, where attention to detail is paramount.

The approach when designing Windlesham was to develop a course that ‘excites and tests all standards of golfer’, with gentle slopes and streams forming the main difficulties for all players. That very much remains true today, and it’s definitely a challenging course to play, with the two loops of nine testing all the shot-making skills in the bag, as well as forcing golfers to engage their golfing brains off virtually every tee.

Length has never been the course’s main defence – although it is plenty long enough – because it requires skilful shot placement to score well here. The first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, 13th, 16th and 17th all require a ditch and/or water to be negotiated at some point, with lay ups off the tee, or daring shots to the greens required to go for birdies. The size of the USGA-specification greens makes

The lounge area in the newly-decoted clubhouse

The course is always presented in tip-top condition, with handcut greens, tees and approaches, and neatlystriped fairways

them slightly easier to hit, but can also leave massive putts across undulating slopes.

All in all, it’s an entertaining course to play, getting better the more you play it, and represents excellent value at £60 a round for visitors on weekdays and £65 at weekends after midday. Golf Days are equally well catered for here, with bespoke summer packages available from just £70 per head for groups of 12 or more.

The new facilities have attracted plenty of interest among the local golfing community, with a healthy number of new members joining the club since the clubhouse project was completed 18-months ago, including a significant number of new women members – while member retention has been equally impressive, providing further evidence that the club has got its product right both on and off the golf course.

The superb facilities have also attracted the attention of the corporate and golf day world, with eyewear brand Oakley choosing to stage a

The club keeps in touch with its members and visitors via an app, a website, and social media channels

massive golf day here during the run up to the BMW PGA Championship, while TV host Jeremy Kyle hosts his annual Celebrity-Am Classic event at the club every summer.

But members remain at the heart of the club’s existence, and they enjoy priority use on the course at all times, with mornings exclusively blocked out for members’ tee times (up to 11am weekdays and noon at weekends).

In addition, the club has an online booking facility, with bookings available up to 14 days in advance for members, while visitors can secure tees times outside peak hours.

The club has always had a well-balanced blend of gender and age groups, and enjoys a growing family membership category, but like almost all venues it is keen to see more young girls take up the game – and stay with it. To that end, it runs a club-funded scholarship programme which offers two years free membership and tuition for a number of girls.

There are currently four girls with scholarship status, all funded by the club and members, while a total of 12 have benefitted from the scheme over the last three years. The club also sends its coaching staff into local schools to persuade more youngsters to take up the game, ensuring that Windlesham plays its part in keeping golf on the sporting radar for children.

As you’d expect from a forward-thinking enterprise, the club is open to all forms of communication, and operates an awardwinning website, a Facebook page, and a highly-active Twitter feed, while a tablet and mobile App offers a more interactive experience for golfers, including fly-by videos of holes, GPS measuring, digital scoring, tee time bookings, lessons bookings and live weather links.

These are just some of the reasons why Windlesham remains ahead of the game – and will continue to do so for many years to come.

If you’re interested in joining Windlesham, or would like to come and look at the facilities, call general manager Stewart Judd directly on 01276 452220 or email stewart.judd@windleshamgolf.com

Windlesham Golf Club Grove End, Bagshot Surrey, GU19 5HY Tel: 01276 451122 (Golf Operations) www.windleshamgolf.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

[24] MARCH 2015 | NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Are you up for the Longest Day challenge?

HORWITZ EARNS ARGENTINA CAP Surrey U14 squad member Lorenzo Horwitz has been selected by Argentina for its youth squad as it prepares for the 2018 Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires. The former Surrey U13 champion recently attended a four-day intensive training camp at Pilar Golf Club in Buenos Aires held by the Argentinian Golf Association.

KENT GOLF TOUR LAUNCHES AT LITTLESTONE A new amateur golf tour staging events at clubs throughout Kent got underway this month, with a field of 40 players taking part in the opening event at LIttlestone. The brainchild Gemma Woodcock, who runs the HB Golf Academy and Unique Golf Tours based at Westwell, the Kent Golf Tour involves eight tournaments across the county, aimed at amateurs. Other host venues include Rye, while a tour championship finale is being held at London Golf Club in October. The champion will win a custom-made set of Titleist clubs, while the prize for the Order of Merit winner will be a top-of-the-range power trolley.

Walton Heath to host European Amateur Walton Heath is to stage one of amateur golf’s top events, after it was announced as the host venue for the International European Men’s Amateur in 2017.

The championship will be played on the Surrey club’s Old Course from June 28 to July 1 2017, and will be contested by 144 of Europe’s leading amateurs, representing over 20 countries. As well as the coveted trophy, the winner will be awarded with a place in The Open Championship.

Former champions include Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Victor Dubuisson, as well as England’s current number one amateur, Ashley Chesters. The 25-year-old from Hawkstone Park is the only player to have won back-to-back titles with victories in 2013 and 2014.

England Golf’s championship director, James Crampton, said: “We are delighted to host this prestigious event at Walton Heath. The Old Course is superb, and one of the best inland courses in the country. It will provide a great test for the players and will be an excellent venue for spectators.

Admission will be free, and we expect to welcome large crowds of visitors to watch fantastic golf from Europe’s top amateurs.”

Stuart Christie, Walton Heath’s secretary, commented: “Walton Heath has a proud history of hosting major amateur and professional tournaments and is delighted to have been chosen to host the European Amateur Championship in 2017. We look forward to welcoming the top amateur golfers from around Europe.”

England shine in Sotogrande

Ben Stow

England held off a charging Spanish side to secure their sixth victory in the European Nations Cup at La Reserva, Sotogrande.

The four-strong team of Ashley Chesters, Paul Howard, Nick Marsh and Ben Stow edged home one shot clear of the hosts, Spain, with France and Ireland five and seven shots further back.

The matches were played in very testing winds, particularly on the first day when gusts of up to 35kmh delayed play. Conditions were such that

YOUR GOLF WEB DEVELOPERS WEB DESIGN FOR THE GOLF INDUSTRY HOSTING FOR EMAIL AND WEB SOCIAL MEDIA SETUP AND MANAGEMENT PAY-PER-CLICK AND SEARCH OPTIMISATION NO JARGON - JUST GETTING THE JOB DONE DESIGN AND PRINT OF MARKETING MATERIAL

01494 862 423

DOM@POWDERSKY.COM

Match-fit golfers who fancy their chances at completing 72 holes in a single day are encouraged to sign up for this year’s MacMillan Longest Day Golf Challenge.

The official longest day is June 21, although golfers can choose to carry out the four-round challenge at any time between April and August, providing they don’t mind playing in the dark!

Teams must consist of a minimum of four players.

The Longest Day Golf Challenge raises money for people affected by cancer. Macmillan provides therapists, nurses, benefits advisors, and support line workers. The register for the challenge, which is being backed by adidas Golf for the third year running, go to www.macmillan.org.uk/longestday.

POWDERSKY.COM

there were only nine rounds below par during the entire tournament, from a total of 256 played.

England was in second place after the first round, four shots behind Ireland, and took the lead after 36 holes – refusing to be dislodged, despite Spain’s efforts.

Victory gave England its fifth win in seven years, with previous successes coming in 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

MARCH 2015 [25]

MATT FORD’S

TOUR DIARY

KENT-BASED PROFESSIONAL MATT FORD CONTINUES HIS NEW COLUMN CHARTING HIS FIRST SEASON ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR, AND REPORTS ON SOME IMPRESSIVE EARLY SEASON RESULTS

I’

m writing this midway through a five-week globetrotting stint that has taken me to Thailand, India, and then South Africa for three weeks. I only found out I’d made it into the True Thailand Classic about three or four days before I flew, but thankfully it didn’t make too much difference to the flight costs! I’m pretty much my own travel agent, although I do have a bit of help from a company called Destination Golf, especially with the long haul flights.

Last time, I talked about my good first rounds, and that trend continued in Thailand, where I was actually leading after 11 or 12 holes. I had a few messages from friends calling me the ‘first round specialist’, but it’s funny how people start putting thoughts in your head, and in India I found myself thinking, “Actually, I’m not sure I want to start so well – perhaps a steady start might be

better!” But I started terribly – four over after five - so then I was thinking, “That’s that idea out the window!” But I played quite nicely after that to shoot one over, which should really have been better, as I played really well on the back nine.

I made the cut in Thailand, but finished well down the field, then made too many bogeys in India to miss the cut by one. I struggled on and around the greens, which was extremely frustrating, because I hit a lot of good shots and the

course suited me.

All my good golf so far has come from creating lots of opportunities via good iron play, but my putting has been a bit up and down.

There’s a lot of grain to the grass in these countries, and sometimes you can see it, but sometimes you can’t. You might

have a lob shot you think is into the grain, so you try to pitch it close, expecting it to stop, and it turns out to be down grain, so the ball shoots forward and rolls on 15 feet. That’s tricky – both from the mental side and the scoring side – and is obviously why the Indian guys do so well in India, as they see it much better.

In Joburg, I had a bit of tightness and some muscle spasm in my back, possibly from all the travelling, but even so, I played quite nicely. I was 52nd heading into Sunday, so didn’t have huge expectations, but then hit it inside six feet on five of the first six holes, and made every one to

be five under, before making a silly double on seven. I then had another tap-in birdie on eight, so it was a great front nine.

The pins were tougher coming home, so I didn’t hit it as close, and unfortunately didn’t hole anything, before getting a bit unlucky with a plugged lie on 14.

That was a little disappointing, having started so well, but I’ve just got to take the positives from my 43rd place finish there.

It is expensive playing the tour, and I’ll admit I do find it hard to take that out of the equation, and just play golf. Obviously, that’s where you pile the pressure on yourself, with every little shot or putt becoming too important.

Thinking like that just isn’t good

I’m getting a reputation as a first round specialist, but sometimes I think a steadier start might be a better way forward

FUN SOCIETY OPEN! SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 2015

Join your golfing friends this spring and enter our fun Society Open... a little bit of friendly rivalry on our award-winning Kingfisher Course.

Enjoy a delicious bacon roll and fresh coffee on arrival, then let the competition begin! Fight it out with an 18-hole Texas Scramble and later, enjoy the prize giving over a scrumptious one-course meal in The Clubhouse. £35 per person

BOOK NOW 01403 220344 manningsheath.com

EMAIL US hannah.chopin@exclusive.co.uk

|

FIND OUT MORE manningsheath.com/societyopen

Mannings Heath, an Exclusive Golf Club, Hammerpond Road, Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6PG

for your golf, and that’s where the sports psychology comes in – something I’ve worked hard on, and will continue, but haven’t quite mastered yet!

Overall, I’ve made more cuts than I’ve missed, so I can’t be too disappointed. It’s still fairly early in the season, and I’ve been playing some good golf, but it just hasn’t quite been as consistent as I would have liked. That said, I believe the outcome goals, in terms of results, will happen if I just stick to my simple processes.

That’s the plan anyway, and by the time you read this, you’ll know how the rest of my South African swing panned out.

After that, it’s home for a week, then out to Morocco, then home for a couple of weeks, before potentially heading out to China.

However, as a Q School graduate, I’m not too sure how the entry list is going to go for those two China events, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

As Golf News went to press, Matt finished second in the Africa Open in South Africa. Read all about his best result on the European Tour in next month’s issue!

R [26] MARCH 2015

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

ory McIlroy must be in two minds about 2014. On the one hand, it’s been a trophyladen year that has seen him bag two

AUGUSTA AWAITS TAKING AIM AT AUGUSTA After an extraordinaf course, world No.1 Rory McIlroy will Words by Nick Bayly

After winning the US Open in 2013, Justin Rose is gunning for more major glory in 2015, kicking off with the Masters at Augusta, which has been a happy hunting ground for Hampshire’s finest export Interview Nick Bayly Photography Howard Boylan and Getty Images

H

FRONT COVER STORY | MARCH 2015 [27]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

ave you reached the stage in your career where your goals are purely based around peaking for the Majors?

I think that Augusta can loom very large in your head for a long time, because it’s eight months between when the US PGA ends and the Masters rolls around. So it’s a long time to think about it. But it’s also very important to treat each event individually, and to get the most out of each event you play in, without chalking it up to ‘preparation’. I think it’s important to get your confidence going prior to Augusta, which means taking every event very seriously.

I’ve changed things up a little bit this year, because I’m playing Houston before Augusta, and that’s what’s on my mind right now. I had two weeks off prior to Augusta last year, and I felt like it was too long to think about the tournament coming around.

I was six over par through 12 during the first round last year, and felt that I needed to change it up this year.

Rose in action at Augusta last year

the golf course. You’ve seen all the eagles and birdies on the back nine over the years, and I was trying to do that on Saturday. You can’t chase the course. You’ve got to let it unravel.

In the past, I’ve always tried to get ready for Thursday, but now I try to get ready for Saturday and Sunday. I assume my game will put me in contention and I try to get ready for that.

Augusta is different from almost any other venue we play – there’s so much course knowledge that you build up through the years that it swings the pendulum in favour of the more experienced player. I still learn stuff every time I go out on the course, but I’d like to think that the pendulum is more in my favour now.

You’ve got to get over just being there. It’s such an awe-inspiring place, as a first-timer you can’t help but take it all in and potentially not be as focused on the course as you should be.

I’ve always tried to get ready for Thursday, but now I try to get ready for Saturday and Sunday

What targets have you set for yourself this season?

Of course, you can target the Majors, but first and foremost, I look at myself and how I can improve. I look at parts of my game where there are weaknesses and try and iron those out. I believe that if you can improve your skills year on year, you’re going to create chances to win tournaments. Besides winning majors, I’d like to become a more prolific winner. That would be a step up for me, but major championships are really what your career is going to be judged on at the end of the day.

What kind of shape is your game in?

I got away from golf over Christmas and New Year, and didn’t practise very much at all. I spent two weeks in Dubai working on my game before Abu Dhabi to get some of the rust off, and get certain aspects of my game in shape. Although I missed cuts at the Farmers and the Honda, I wasn’t far off, and I feel like my game is in a good spot to make a run heading into Augusta.

Are there any specific parts of your game you think you can improve upon?

There are always improvements to be made, but I feel that I’m a point in my career when I’m not looking to make any drastic changes, I’m just trying to find that one or two percent here and there, without the risk of changing what I’m good at. For me it’s fairly simple. If I looked purely statistically, at strokes gained with my long game, I’m pretty good. And towards the end of last year I started to hit the ball a lot further, which I think is going to open up a few new scoring opportunities for me this year. If I look at courses like Augusta, for example, that can really help. If you look at who has won that tournament in the last few years distance off the tee is certainly a factor. It’s fairly obvious, but making a few more putts also helps a lot, too.

How do you fancy your chances at this season’s other major venues – Chambers Bay, St Andrews and Whistling Straights?

It’s funny that we’re going to be playing three majors in a row where we probably won’t see too many trees. It’s going to be pretty interesting. Chambers Bay is going to play very linksy, with lots of shots running into the greens, wide fairways, which is somewhat similar to Whistling Straits.

Given where Chambers Bay is, it’s going to be very difficult to prepare, as I would normally for a US Open. I normally try to sneak in a day here and there to familiarise myself with the course, but it being out west in Washington, it’s a lot harder to do that. So I don’t think anyone is going to have a great deal of an advantage around there.

And then The Open at St Andrews; we all know the ball is on the ground, running, crazy bounces, and humps. It’s just one of the most fun Opens you can play. I’ve played well there in the past, and as an amateur I won a big tournament there and finished second in the St Andrews Links Trophy, so it’s a venue that I feel comfortable at.

I don’t really have any reason to feel good or bad about Whistling Straits, so looking at the majors as a group, I would say that I fancy my chances around all of them.

This will be your 10th Masters Tournament. What have you learned about Augusta in that time?

I learned the hard way in 2004, when I tried to chase

It feels like you’ve been on tour forever, but you’re still only 34. Do you feel like your best days are still ahead of you?

I’d certainly like to think so. I turned pro when I was 17, so I’ve been on tour half my life. At 34, I think one of my strengths is the experience that I have under my belt, but there comes a point where you can’t keep chalking things up to experience – it’s time to go ahead and just do it. I tried to make that shift when I was 30. I said that the period between 30 and 40 was going to be the period in my career where I was either going to do it or I wasn’t.

My 30s have been pretty good to me so far, with wins every year since turning 30, so hopefully I can continue that trend at least for the next five years, although I don’t really have a time limit on it.

I’m fitter now than I was when I was 21, so that’s another positive. The more resilience I can build at this point in my career, the longer that’s going to last me into my 40s.

You moved from Florida to the Bahamas at the end of last year. Was there a golfing motivation behind the move or was it just for family reasons?

We had a place there for two or three years, and over time we developed a lot of friendships. There are a few more outdoor hobbies than I had in Orlando, fun things to do with the family to get away from golf, so we’re giving it a go. We still have our house in Lake Nona, but the kids are starting school and they love it. On a golfing front, what they have built down at Albany gives me a real opportunity to be the best player I can be. The golf course, the practice facilities, and the gym are all amazing, and I have everything at my disposal to continue to be a better all-round player.

Can you explain how important your caddie [Mark Fulcher] is in the context of ‘Team Rose’?

Fooch is very important. Any time you establish such a long working relationship, you get to understand one another on a deeper level. He is able to preempt things out on the golf course. When we get under pressure or we get towards the end of a tournament, I feel like that’s where I can rely on him the most. That’s something that’s you can only really build up over time.

After the Ryder Cup, all the players were given a copy of the official DVD. Have you watched it yet?

I watched it with my family over Christmas. It was nice to remind myself of what we achieved. It was also fun to see how the other guys played their matches, and where the other points came from.

From a personal point of view, it was also nice to have so many great moments, key putts, and celebrations on record to look back on if I ever need to find some confidence from somewhere. It’s great to have that in the archives. The Ryder Cup will always provide me with great memories, but once it’s over, it’s on to the next thing.

[28] FEBRUARY 2015 | STORY BEHIND THE PIC

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STORY BEHIND THE PIC

I

LADDIE LUCAS | SANDY LODGE GOLF CLUB, HERTFORDSHIRE | AUGUST 7, 1954

f you are looking to compile a list of unsung heroes of the preWWII amateur game, then there would be few people higher up the pecking order than Percy ‘Laddie’ Lucas.

Lucas was, quite literally, born into golf, having breathed his first breath in the clubhouse at Prince’s Golf Club in Kent in 1915. Growing up on the Kent links, where his father served as the club secretary – having co-founded the club – the lefthanded Lucas soon became a master of the links art.

After his father died in 1926, the family moved to Hertfordshire, where the 11-year-old Lucas became a junior member at Sandy Lodge.

A schoolboy champion at 16, he made his name on the world stage when, aged just 19, he won the silver medal for the lowest amateur score in the 1935 Open Championship held at Muirfield.

After graduating from Cambridge, he worked as a sports writer for the Sunday Express, where he stayed until the outbreak of war, when he volunteered for the RAF as a pilot. And it was Lucas’s intimate

knowledge of Prince’s Golf Club’s subtle undulations that probably saved his life in August 1944, when his Spitfire was hit by enemy fire while coming home from a raid. Reluctant to bale out, he spotted Sandwich Bay at the same moment as his engine died. Gliding in, and keeping the clubhouse as a marker, he managed to miss the second, fourth, 12th, eighth and ninth fairways before landing belly-up out of bounds just short of the River Store. Typical of the man, he recalled being very unhappy at the state of the greens, and joked about his continuing inability to hit the ninth fairway.

After the war, Lucas captained the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team in 1947 and 1949, before turning his hand to politics, serving as the Conservative MP for Brentford and Chiswick from 1950-59.

Becoming disillusioned with government, he moved into sports administration, working firstly for the Greyhound Association at White City, and then with the Sports Council.

He took early retirement in 1975, and began writing again, completing a compelling autobiography, Five-Up, and The Sport of Princes (Reflections

of a Golfer). At the time of his death in 1998, aged 73, he was vice-president of the Golf Foundation and the Association of Golf Writers.

The rather bizarre pictures shows Lucas, then aged 39, playing the course at Sandy Lodge Golf Club wearing a blindfold. Despite this self-imposed handicap, he managed to shoot 87 with the aid of a guide – a score that most of us would be proud of with 20-20 vision.

Prince’s Golf Club, where Lucas’s love affair with golf began, continues to honour the great man each year by hosting the Laddie Lucas Spoon, a competition open to juniors aged between eight and 13, which takes place in April. It has proved the starting point for many a promising golfing career; a legacy that is fitting for someone who gave so much to the game.

LADIES OPEN DAY Saturday, 11th April

£39

m fro

pp

Coffee on arrival 9 Holes on the Water Garden Course Or free range balls 18 Holes on the Codrington Course 1 Course Lunch or Dinner Based on 4 or more players

www.theplayersgolfclub.com

£83

m fro

pp Summer Midweek Stay Overs One night & Two rounds of Golf Stay @ Canons Court mews 1 round on The Codrington course 1 round on The Stranahan course includes coffee and breakfast includes range balls both days £83 each based on 12 or more £99 each based for a 4 ball

enquiries@theplayersgolfclub.com

£149

pp

2 nights & 3 Rounds Stay @ Canons Court Mews Play @ The Players Club Cumberwell Park The Kendleshire

Based on 2 sharing.

Full details on The Players Club website.

at we Lets see wcahn do for you!

Ladies…

Chipstead Golf Club offer you the opportunity to meet new friends and Golfing Buddies by inviting you to join us on Saturday 11th April 2015 for nine holes of complimentary golf.

FREE coaching sessions will take place on the day.

Never played before? Would like to give golf a try? Book your place today!!

Bookings or both golf and coaching can be made by calling Gary or Nic on 01737 554939

NEW LIMITED TWO FOR ONE MEMBERSHIP OFFER which will run from 1st March until 30th April*

For more information on our memberships or society and function packages: Call Sue on 01737 555781 Email office@chipsteadgolf.co.uk or visit www.chipsteadgolf.co.uk *Offer only applies for your first year of membership, terms and conditions apply

NEWS | MARCH 2015 [29]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

R&A to discuss merger with Ladies’ Golf Union

Play Richmond Park for a pound

Golfers in the South East with an eye for a bargain should snap up the ‘round for a pound’ offer that has been launched at Richmond Park Golf Course in Surrey to promote the new season.

Golfers who sign up to the South London venue’s free loyalty card scheme can take advantage of round for a pound tee times that are being offered between March 30 and April 5.

Jon Dummett, Richmond Park’s general manager, said: “We first launched the Round for a Pound offer last year as a means of rewarding our Loyaltee card holders. It was a massive success, and

it encouraged those who had never visited Richmond Park before to try the new Prince’s and Duke’s courses. Loyaltee is free to join and provides members with discounted green fees all year round, VIP event invitations, and access to a range of special offers.”

Richmond Park has had over £3 million spent on renovating its facilities in recent years by management company Glendale Golf, with the new clubhouse being the most impressive development.

To sign up for the Loyaltee card and take up the ‘round for a pound’ offer, visit www. glendalegolf.co.uk.

Moor Park members dig deep for Northwood charity A year of fundraising by Moor Park Golf Club’s outgoing captain in 2014 has resulted in over £2,000 being handed over to local charities.

Joe Sandercock used his year as captaincy at the Rickmansworth-based club to raise funds for local charities through a series of events with the club’s members, and last month he handed over a cheque for £2,125

to the Northwood Live at Home Scheme, which supports elderly people living independently in the Northwood area.

Jo Wild, chairman of the Northwood Live at Home Scheme, said: “We’re extremely grateful for this generous donation, which enables us to continue our valued work supporting older people in the local community.”

The R&A is in talks with the Ladies’ Golf Union over the prospect of a merger.

Although no timetable has been set for the two governing bodies to come together, a joint statement issued on February 20 said that ‘exploratory discussions are underway’ to achieve a ‘closer relationship and the possibility of a merger’.

The statement continued: “There is a great deal of synergy between the LGU and The R&A, with both based in St Andrews and responsible for staging major championships, prestigious amateur events and international matches. Both organisations are committed to supporting the development of golf and encouraging participation in the sport.”

The R&A and the LGU are both based at the Royal and Ancient Golf club of St Andrews, which recently invited women members to join the club for the first time.

The R&A runs The Open, major amateur events and international matches. Along with the United States Golf Association it also governs the game worldwide. The LGU runs the Ricoh Women’s British Open and all aspects of ladies’ golf in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

NEWS IN BRIEF BRITISH ISLES BOASTS 3,297 GOLF VENUES A report into golf’s global reach has found that there are 3,297 golf clubs in the British Isles. The R&A’s Golf Around the World 2015 is the first ever official count into all the golf courses in the world, concluding that there 34,011 golf facilities in 206 countries. The survey revealed that there are only 33 countries in the world that do not have a golf course on them. Nearly 80% of all the world’s courses are located in just ten countries, with almost half (15,372) being in America.

TUDOR PARK & KINGS HILL JOIN GOLF IN KENT

The Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club and Kings Hill Golf Club have joined the Visit Kent Golf Partners Programme that promotes the country as a golf break destination. The group was originally set up by Visit Kent in 2009, to captialise on the staging of The Open Championship at Royal St George’s in 2011.

For a list of all the golf clubs and hotels involved in the Golf in Kent programme, or to book a break, visit www. golfinkent.co.uk.

BRITAINS NO.1 DISCOUNT GOLF SPECIALIST

SOUTHAMPTON OPEN

NOW

Superstore Exclusive Opening Offer

ore 3,000 Sq.Ft Superst

10% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE

*Only available @ Southampton Store. Ends 31/4/15.

50 Bay Driving Range

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. T&C’s apply, see website for details.

Hedge End, Southampton SO30 4EA

01489 798682

direct-golf.co.uk/stores/southampton

FLIP IT & RIP IT.

TM

Introducing our first-ever front-to-back FLIPZONE adjustable weight technology. Flip the weight forward for a penetrating ball flight that generates more roll. Or, flip it back for a towering flight path and carry those hazards that used to get in your head. Its two settings deliver the perfect distance and trajectory for your swing.

TM

Find which setting is right for your game at cobragolf.co.uk/fly-z

GAME CHANGED

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

MARCH 2015

BETHANY GOATER 

ANNABEL DIMMOCK  AGE: 18 HANDICAP: 3.4 HOME CLUB: WENTWORTH CLUB, SURREY

AGE: 14 HANDICAP: 4 HOME CLUB: HOCKLEY GOLF CLUB, HAMPSHIRE

Who encouraged you to take up golf? My dad took me to the range at Gerrards Cross when I was eight years old. The club ran some group coaching for local school children, but when I turned up I was told I was too young. I started to cry, so the pro said I could hit a few balls. I hit better shots than the 11 year olds, so he said I could join in.

What was 2014 like? Pretty amazing. The year started well on the Orange Blossom Tour in January, which really got my season going. I was runnerup in the Spanish Ladies in April, and won the Sunningdale Foursomes later that month. I won the Scottish Ladies in May, and was runner-up in the Welsh Ladies. In June I represented GB&I in the Curtis Cup, and in September I represented Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup. I’m currently the top-ranked GB&I ladies amateur and my highest world ranking is 11th.

How often do you practise? Six days a week, with one complete day off.

Where are you most looking to improve? I am working hard to improve my chipping and putting, as American players in both the Curtis Cup and Junior Ryder Cup were unbelievably good.

Where do you see yourself in 12 months? I would like to be competing successfully on the Ladies European Tour.

Who is your coach? Lawrence Farmer.

Who encouraged you to take up golf? I started hitting balls at the club with my dad when I was about seven years old.

How was 2014 for you? It was a good season. I was re-selected into the England Squad and managed to achieve my handicap goal of four, after starting the year playing off nine.

Representative honours: I was a playing member of England’s U16 South Squad, and was in the Hampshire Junior Girls team.

How often do you practise? Around four times a week. I also practice a lot of drills in the house as well!

Where do you see yourself at the end of the year? I would like to be playing off of a handicap of one.

What are the strengths of your game? My long game, putting, and my general attitude on the course.

What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? The best technique is no good unless you know how to play.

Career ambition: I want to be the best – world number one.

College/University plans: I’ve got no plans to go to university – I just want to go out there and play.

[31]

Where are you most looking to improve? My chipping definitely needs some work.

GIRL POWER

Favourite course: Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin course). I represented Hampshire schools there and really enjoyed it.

Golf News tracks down a trio of the brightest South East-based junior girls currently competing for county, national and international honours

Hobbies and interests outside golf: Listening to music and spending time with my friends.

Interviews by Jim Banting

JELINA FERNANDO AGE: 17 HANDICAP: 4 HOME CLUB: EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL, EAST SUSSEX Who encouraged you to take up golf? My dad has played for many years and he used to take my older brother to the range. I went along when I was 11 and was hooked from that day!

How was 2014 for you? It was a season of ups and downs. I won East Sussex National‘s Ladies Club Championship, and was runner-up in the England South Region U18 girls championships – also winning the team shield for Sussex.

Representative honours: I was selected for the England South East AASE squad, the England Birdie 3 squad, Sussex ladies first team, Sussex U18 girls first team, and won ladies’ and girls’ county colours.

Golfing highlight: Winning the Sussex U18 Championship for consecutive years ­from the age of 14. Being selected for England training squads, and then shooting two-under par in a county event to win the order of merit trophy.

How often do you practise? Two to three times during the week, fitting it around my timetable, and every weekend.

Who is your coach? Sarah Maclennan at East Sussex National.

Where do you see yourself at the end of the year? I’ll be at university in America, studying for my degree and competing in collegiate golf.

What are the strengths of your game? My putting – I had a 96% holing out average for the 2014 season.

Where are you most looking to improve? Throughout the off season I will be working with my coach to improve my swing plane in order to get more power through the ball; incorporating this with specific gym work.

Favourite course: The Berkshire – both courses are challenging and test all parts of your game.

College/University plans: I am planning to study for a degree at university in America and compete in collegiate golf.

Who is your coach? Gary Stubbington is my club coach, and my England coach is Alex Saary.

What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? To work on your short game.

Career ambition: To become a professional and play in the Solhiem Cup. Favourite tour player: Rory Mcllroy.

College/University plans: I’ve not really started to think about college yet, but I do like the thought of going to a golf college in America!

[32] MARCH 2015 | COMPETITION

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

COMPETITION

SIGNED IAN POULTER MEMORABILIA TO BE WON WITH NIKON

F

ans of Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter have the opportunity to win a selection of handpicked memorabilia signed by the great man in a fantastic competition supported by Nikon, an official patron of the Open Championship, which has recently launched its new COOLSHOT laser rangefinder line up.

Up for grabs are two signed pictures, two signed visors, a signed glove, and a signed IJP Design shirt. The prizes will be available for three lucky winners, with two people winning a picture and a visor each, and one person bagging the glove and the signed shirt.

Ian Poulter is an ambassador for Nikon, which recently launched three new laser rangefinders for golf in the shape of the COOLSHOT 20, COOLSHOT 40 and COOLSHOT 40i.

The COOLSHOT 20 is the perfect game improver for golfers looking to gain an edge on the course at an affordable price.

It gives golfers accurate yardages up to 550 yards, ensuring total confidence in club selection to enhance any golfer’s course management skills. With a single button operation, the device is easy to use, measuring the exact distance to selected targets on the fairway and to the tee.

The COOLSHOT 40 is designed

exclusively for measuring actual distance and can be used for competition if local rules permit the use of a laser rangefinder. The COOLSHOT 40i incorporates Nikon’s angle compensation technology, which displays the slopeadjusted distance (horizontal distance ± height) and is ideal for use on golf courses with uphill and downhill slopes.

To be in with a chance of winning, please answer the following question.

Which major is Nikon a patron of?

A) The Masters B) US Open C) The Open D) USPGA Championship Email your answer, with your name and tel number, to info@golfnews.co.uk with ‘IJP/Nikon Competition’ in the subject line. Entries close on April 15.

SUMMER SOCIETY PACK AGES…

Bring along your society or even a small group of friends for a glorious round of golf on our award-winning, Peter Alliss designed course.

Our summer packages start from as little as £60 per person for groups of 24 or more and includes a delicious bacon roll and coffee on arrival, followed by 18 magnificent holes of golf and a two-course private dinner in the Clubhouse.

Valid from May 1st to September 30 th 2015 | Organiser goes FREE for bookings of 24 or more.

BOOK NOW 01249 782206 manorhousegolf.co.uk

EMAIL US enquiries@manorhousegolf.co.uk

|

FIND OUT MORE manorhousegolf.co.uk/summersociety

The Manor House, an Exclusive Hotel & Golf Club, Castle Combe, Nr. Bath, Wiltshire SN14 7HR

MEET THE PRO | MARCH 2015 [33]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

MEET THE PRO DAVID COPSEY

DAVID COPSEY, THE HEAD PGA PROFESSIONAL AT POULT WOOD GOLF CENTRE IN KENT, REVEALS HIS REASONS FOR HIS LOVE OF THE GAME AND HIS LOATHING OF THE M25

How long have you been a PGA professional?

I qualified back in the early 90s,, so I have been a professional now for over 20 years.

What does your role involve?

I have a contract to run the golf services at Poult Wood Golf Centre on a day-to-day basis.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I really enjoy coming to work; the environment is relaxed and professional, we have clear targets and objectives, and seeing them fulfilled is very rewarding. I came into golf because it’s a game I love, and that is still true today.

And the worst?

I live in Purley, some 30 miles from Poult Wood, and the journey involves a stint on the M25 each day – which is fine when it’s running smoothly, but hugely frustrating when it’s not.

Tell us something about the facilities…

Poult Wood is a pay-and-play complex consisting of an 18hole course, a lovely little short nine-holer, and a 12-bay driving range. It’s the perfect centre for beginners and seasoned golfers alike.

What is the centre doing to attract junior and female golfers?

We run programmes to get ladies into the game, such as coffee mornings on our ninehole course and targeted beginners’ group lessons. Our objective is to make golf a fun, social Poult Wood in Kent game where you can meet like-minded people and enjoy each other’s company. We run junior courses in a similar way, but with the emphasis a little more towards the competitive element.

What do you think would stimulate more people to take up golf?

I believe golf has to look at itself and think of shorter formats that speed up the game and make it easier for players of lesser abilities. A format we

Order your FREE copy now at golfdayguide.com

may explore this year is to have two holes on each green on our nine-hole course: one hole the standard size and a second larger hole, with each size marked by the colour of the flag. A player chooses the level of difficulty they wish to play the course to and play to that flag for their round.

How much time do you spend teaching?

I don’t get a great deal of time to teach, as I have many other

duties, so I would typically teach three to four hours a week.

rather than ‘who’. I used to caddy at Royal St George’s when I was a teenager, and after couple of years I was allowed to play the course at certain times. It is a great place and was the reason I got into the game.

What sold well in the pro shop last year?

Threewheeled push trolleys really took off last year, as did Oakley’s apparel and footwear.

What’s your favourite course in the UK, and the world?

Royal St George’s in the UK, for the reasons given above, while in Europe I love Valderrama – it’s in a beautiful setting and fantastically difficult. In the States, either Pebble Beach or TPC Sawgrass, both of which are incredible for very different reasons.

If you could change one rule in golf what would it be?

I quite like the rules just as they are. As long as the game is fair, I am more than happy to keep them the way they are.

Who is your golfing hero?

Seve Ballesteros – he was the most charismatic of players who seemed to make the almost impossible look attainable.

Who inspired you to take up golf?

It was more a case of ‘where’

Who would be in your dream fourball?

Seve, as he was my boyhood hero; Ben Hogan, a true great of the game, and Rory McIlroy, as I would just love to watch him drive the ball from the tee.

What would you have done if you hadn’t have been a pro?

I would have gone into business of some sort, but I’m not sure what as the question never arose.

To book a round at Poult Wood visit www.poultwoodgolf.co.uk or call 01732 364039.

[34] MARCH 2015 | PAGE NAME

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

THE SHARK AT 60 As one of the first truly global players, Greg Norman, who entered his seventh decade last month, knows a thing or two about the world game, so when he speaks on the subject it’s worth listening

INTERVIEW | MARCH 2015 [35]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

D

id turning 60 bother you at all?

It’s a cliché, but age is just a number to me.

I feel fitter than I did when I was 40, and I’m not just saying that; the cardio figures tell me that I am. So turning 60 was not something I dwelt on. I’m in a happier place than I’ve ever been, the businesses are doing well, and give or take a bit of numbness in my hand after the chainsaw accident, I’m feeling great.

of the global population ready to explode.

When you see these massive pockets around the world, with the opportunities there, it’s incredible.

But do you think we’ll ever see an actual World Tour?

I think within the next couple of years the timing will be right for a merging of the two tours, or an independent coming in and creating something new. The reason why there’s a lot of corporate dollars is if you get television on a global basis. That’s what they look for, and then the players will come. You hear rumours about different tournaments being started up as one‑offs.

Are you glad you played in the era when you did, or would you like to be mixing it with Rory and the boys now?

A lot of the fun came from being around other players, which has gone now, because they all go off in their own planes once the tournament is over. We didn’t have private aircraft back then. We got together, three or four or five guys; we’d play backgammon on the train or in the airport, drinking a couple of beers waiting for the next flight.

Or you’d rent a car and drive somewhere.

When I was fortunate enough to get a plane, I gave guys a lift. That’s what I really loved about the behind-the-scenes part of our sport. Now a lot of the top guys call up NetJets and it’s ‘See you next Tuesday on the practice range’.

How do you think your game at its best would have stacked up against the current generation?

If I was 25, and playing with today’s equipment, I’d still be long and be hitting driver all the time, too. When I was in my heyday, being one of longest, straightest drivers allowed me to be aggressive on every course. And I had a good short game, so those two things together meant that my iron play didn’t really matter. I attacked every pin, because 90% of the time I knew that if I missed the flag on the short side, I could get up and down. Today, the courses are set up differently, and the length of these guys means they can hit it 350 yards, be in the rough, and come out with a wedge rather than a 5-iron, which makes it a bit different.

Twenty years or so ago you were very supportive of the creation of a world tour.

With the majority of top players playing on the PGA Tour, and the European Tour expanding across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia, do you think it’s still a relevant concept?

I think it’s almost here. The PGA Tour is late to the party, and that’s why they’re trying to get into some of these countries. The European Tour was the smart one – it was first to understand the importance of the rest of the world in the overall growth the game.

The European Tour is probably eight years ahead of the PGA Tour. The US really has only one market to go to outside of doing one tournament here or there in Asia. The only other market they’ve got is South America, and that has not even been opened up yet, even though we’ve had a couple of major winners come out of South America in the last 10 years. That opportunity is there, with another portion

to have been president of the Players’ Association when I was the number one golfer in the world. You know why? Because you know exactly what’s going on every second of the day, from the people who pay money to come in the gate, to the corporations that you’re involved with. You have the connections, because we are there every second of the day. When I was the top player in the world, I used to bang my head against the wall asking and pleading to be involved with how the game was run. I just hope one day the players wake up and take control of their own destiny; not only for themselves, but everything else around.

Do you think there needs to be a change in the way golf is governed globally?

All I care about is golf, but if these institutions try to become possessive and protective, you just can’t do that if you really want to protect the game and grow it on a global basis.

Are you excited by golf’s growth in China?

Absolutely. I know there’s a moratorium on golf course construction there right now, which is understandable, because if you let the reins go in this country, you’re going to have 15,000 golf courses on your hands and you’ve got to be able to make those courses sustainable going forward. But when they do get it right, it’s going to go crazy; there’s no question about it, but it needs to grow in a sustainable fashion.

I remember being involved in the first exhibition match in mainland China in 1992. You couldn’t even go there in a private plane in those days, so what’s been achieved in a very, very short period of time is amazing. I was one of the first guys to play golf in Dubai, and look where the Middle East is now. So you really have to be patient with it, and you have to develop the right strategy. You’ve got to make sure that people don’t get greedy; but if we do it all together on a collective basis, then everybody will benefit from it in some way, shape or form.

As we head into the season’s first major, what do you make of Tiger Woods’s dramatic decline?

His drop off in form has been staggering.

Tiger was always a brilliant short-game player, and for that to fall off a cliff as quickly as it has is mind-blowing to me. I’ve not seen that in any other golfer over the years. You can understand the physical side of it – where his weaknesses are and what he’s doing wrong – but I think his problems are more deep-seated inside his head, and maybe deeper than that. He just seems to have completely unravelled mentally.

Do you think he can compete at Augusta?

Of course he can compete at Augusta, but can you imagine him standing over the back of the 12th green, and you’ve got to chip it down there with Rae’s Creek right in front of you, or the back of the 15th…all those gremlins are going to be sitting in his head.

With all that going on, I’ll be surprised if he wins another major.

You only have to get four or five or six of those guys to team up, and soon you start getting eight to 12 tournaments. You do them in certain parts of the world that lead into the majors or lead out of the majors, and guys can still play their regular tour events. So you can actually book‑end it very nicely. I think the opportunity is there.

Considering players on the PGA Tour prefer playing the majority of their events in the US, could you see golf becoming more like tennis, following the model of the ATP World Tour?

I really think golf could learn a thing or two from the ATP. Roger Federer was the president of the Player Council when he was world number one, and I would loved

I think Tiger’s problems are deep inside his head, and maybe deeper than that. He just seems to have completely unravelled mentally

NEWS IN BRIEF JOBURG JOY FOR SULLIVAN Warwickshire’s Andy Sullivan raced up the world rankings after adding the JoBurg Open to the South African Open title he won last month. The 27 year old from Nuneaton pipped David Howell and Antony Wall to the title at Royal Johannesburg, and also bagged a place in the Open at St Andrews.

CEJKA BAGS FIRST PGA TOUR WIN

Alex Cejka fended his long quest for a maiden PGA Tour title after a birdie at the first play-off hole earned him the Puerto Rico Open title. The 44-year-old, who was playing in his 287th PGA Tour event at Rio Grande, fired a closing 69 to join Tim Petrovic and Sam Saunders on seven under par.

FISHER FLIES HOME IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa’s Trevor Fisher Jnr cruised to a five-shot victory in the Africa Open at East London Golf Club, after playing the final two rounds in 17 under par. He claimed his maiden European Tour title after following up a third round 63, with an eightunder 64 to finish clear of the runner-up, Kent’s Matt Ford.

PARK BANKS HSBC TITLE Inbee Park secured her 13th career LPGA title by winning the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore. The South Korean carded a twounder 70 in the final round to win by two strokes at the Sentosa Golf Club, and she completed 72 holes without dropping a single shot.

OLD COURSE HOSTS OPEN LEGENDS Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and a host of Open legends are to take part in a special four-hole team event at St Andrews before the Open tees off at the Old Course on July 16.

Other players scheduled to take part are Tom Watson, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Louis Oosthuizen, John Daly, Stewart Cink, David Duval, Paul Lawrie, Mark O’Meara, Justin Leonard, Sandy Lyle and Bob Charles. The better ball team event will be held on the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th holes, with the winning team receiving a £50,000 donation to a charity of their choice.

[36] MARCH 2015 | TOUR NEWS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Clarke and Love set for Ryder Cup showdown Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke has been matched up against David Love III as captains of the European and American teams respectively for next year’s Ryder Cup. Clarke, who served as a vice captain in 2010 and 2012, has played in five Ryder Cups between 1997 and 2006, winning four of them. Love has played in six, winning just two, and the 50 year old led the US to a famous defeat at Medinah in 2012.

It was expected that either Paul Azinger, who was in charge of the winning US team in 2008, or Fred Couples, who has captained the Presidents Cup team so successfully, would be more likely candidates for the pivotal role, but the newly-formed Ryder Cup Task Force surprised many observers by picking a captain with a losing record for the 41st matches at Hazeltine in 2016.

Over in the European camp, Clarke had long been strongly fancied to take over from Paul McGinley, and the five-man panel selected the 46-year-old Ulsterman unanimously, ahead of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn. Clarke also had the

backing of high-profile players such as Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood, while McGinley also added his support at a later stage.

Clarke, who first played in the Ryder Cup under Seve Ballesteros in 1997, and has won 11.5 points, said: “The Ryder Cup has been a massive part of my life and my career, so to have the chance to lead Europe next year is a huge honour. I am lucky to have played and worked under some fantastic captains and I look forward to the challenge of trying to follow in their footsteps and help Europe to a fourth consecutive victory at Hazeltine next year.”

Speaking about the prospect of going up against Love, Clarke added: “Davis is a very good friend of mine. We used to play a lot of practice rounds together in America, and he’s a genuinely good man.

He had a tough time in Medinah, when he had a big lead going into the Sunday, but Europe played sensational golf and managed to win. Davis will be looking to prove a point, and I’m sure the match will be played in the manner in which we both think it should be played. It’s going to be a great week.”

Johnson digs deep to win Cadillac Dustin Johnson won the WGCCadillac Championship in Miami just over a month after returning to tournament golf.

The 30-year-old American spent six months away from the game from August last year to sort out a reported drink problem, only returning to the PGA Tour at the beginning of February.

Johnson came from five shots off the pace in the final round to win his ninth career title title from fellow Americans JB Holmes and Bubba Watson.

He fired a final round threeunder-par 69 to win the tournament, after Holmes stumbled

to a three-over par 75 to throw away a five-shot lead. Masters champion Watson held a two-shot with nine holes left to play, but finished third after hitting bogeys on 11, 12 and 14.

“It means everything,” Johnson said. “It’s been a tough road, but I played really good. It feels awesome to get that ‘W’. I played great.”

The British contingent failed to land a blow at Doral, with Rory McIlroy finishing ninth on level par, one shot ahead of Danny Willett and Lee Westwood. Paul Casey finished 38thr while Luke Donald and Ian Poulter finished tied 49th, and Justin Rose 55th.

Close House to host PGA Seniors Champs Golf fans in the UK can look forward to seeing some of the leading lights from the European Senior Tour in action on home soil later this year, after it was confirmed Close House Golf Club in Newcastle will play host to the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship.

The club, which will hold the tournament from June 11-14, has signed a three-year agreement to stage the event, which is the oldest on the Senior Tour’s schedule.

The championship, which boasts a £260,000 prize fund, will be played over the 6,813-yard par-71 Lee Westwood Colt course, which

was designed as a tribute to iconic English course architect Harry Colt.

“We are absolutely delighted that Close House will play host to this year’s ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship,” said owner, Graham Wylie. “To stage a top-ranking tournament for the

first time confirms an exciting period in our development, and shows how far we have come since opening less than four years ago. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all the leading European Senior Tour players to the North East.”

Harrington finds his form at Honda Padraig Harrington won his first PGA Tour event since the 2008 US PGA Championship with a playoff victory over Daniel Berger at the Honda Classic in Florida.

The 43-year-old Irishman needed a birdie at the last hole to secure a place in the playoff, after a double bogey on 17 had given Berger the outright lead. And, after both men made routine pars on 18 in the play-off, Harrington hit his tee shot close and two-putted on 17, while Berger found the water off the tee for a double-bogey five.

The victory, which also handed Harrington a place at the Masters next month, saw his world ranking jump from 297 to 82, was his first on a major worldwide tour since his triumph at Oakland Hills, with his past two wins coming on the Asian Tour.

Harrington had looked to be out of the equation after a bogey on the 4th and double on 6th saw him reach the turn in 38, but a run of four birdies from the 11th, coupled with a collapse from Ian Poulter, gave him a share of the lead.

Poulter, who led by three shots at one point, finished with a disappointing 74, after finding the five times during the final round, as the field finished their final rounds on Monday following rain delays over the weekend. Paul Casey also finished on five under after a closing 68, with Jamie Donaldson a shot further back.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE | MARCH 2015 [37]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

TRUCK ON DOWN TO

SRIXON DEMO EVENTS!

T

he Srixon Tour Truck is making its way to two special demo events in the UK this April, giving golfers the chance to trial and be fitted for the new Srixon Z-Series range and Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0 wedges.

To make the events even better, your clubs will be built for you right there and then – stock permitting – on the Srixon Tour Truck that services Srixon’s leading tour players on the European Tour week in, week out.

The first event will take place at Cleveland Golf and Srixon’s Centre of Excellence at Studley Wood Golf Club in Oxfordshire on April 16-17, before the truck makes its way to Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire for another twoday event on April 18-19.

Visitors to these fantastic days will be able to try out the complete range of Srixon and Cleveland equipment, including the all-new Srixon Z Series, which offers golfers tour-influenced performance, real innovation, and stunning design in the shape of the Z 545 Driver, Z 45 Fairway Wood, Z 45 Hybrid and the Z Series Irons.

The Z Series has been developed with the innovative spirit that has been at the core of the Srixon

If you’re looking to be treated like a tour pro and have clubs custom built before your very eyes, then book a date with the Srixon Tour truck, which is coming to a club near you very soon

brand for more than 80 years.

Utilising advanced simulation tools at the Srixon Golf Science Centre in Japan, every Z Series club is designed with proprietary Digital Impact Technology to ensure precise performance for the target player, and built with the highest quality manufacturing processes and unsurpassed attention to detail.

Validated by Srixon’s elite global staff of tour professionals – which includes major winners Graeme McDowell and Keegan Bradley, as well as high-flying Japanese player Hideki Matsuyama, who is currently ranked 15th in the world – the Z-Series offers everything you need to get better.

Also available to try and buy at Studley Wood and Woburn will be Cleveland Golf’s 588 RTX wedge range. These precision tools literally

changed the face of spin when they were first released, and the new RTX 2.0 range further enhances Cleveland Golf’s reputation as a leader in wedge technology.

The 588 RTX 2.0 wedges have evolved through a number of enhanced technological features, offering golfers even more versatility of choice – the result of hundreds of hours of testing and feedback from by the world’s top players.

Fourth generation Tour Zip grooves, and the roughest clubface Cleveland Golf has ever produced, give golfers using RTX 2.0 wedges the most spin control available.

With 65% of all golf shots played from 125 yards and in, there’s never been a better time to give your bag an MOT and improve your short game.

BOOK YOUR FITTING NOW! STUDLEY WOOD GOLF CLUB, OXON, APRIL 16-17 Call 01865 351144 to book a fitting or find out more details on special promotional offers available at the event.

WOBURN GOLF CLUB, BUCKS, APRIL 18-19 Call 01908 370756 to book a fitting or find out more details on promotional offers available at the event.

If you would like to learn more about Cleveland Golf and Srixon products, head to www.clevelandgolf.com or www.srixon.co.uk.

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

[38] MARCH 2015 | EQUIPMENT NEWS

THE GEAR EFFECT WINNERS’ BAGS ON TOUR JASON DAY Farmers Insurance Open DRIVER: TaylorMade R15 460 (10.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade AeroBurner HL (16.5) IRONS: TaylorMade TP MC (2-PW) WEDGES: TaylorMade TP ATV (52, 60) PUTTER: TaylorMade Ghost Spider Itsy Bitsy BALL: TaylorMade TP X

Chervò’s new Macenta jacket makes light of bad weather Leading Italian golf and leisure apparel brand Chervò has unveiled its new 2015 spring/summer collection, which features an innovative blend of colourful tailoring set against high-performance fabrics.

The new collection combines a

ANIRBAN LAHIRI Malaysia Open DRIVER: Callaway Big Berth V-Series (10.5) FAIRWAY WOODS: Callaway X2 Hot (3, 5) HYBRID: Adams DHy Pro Tour (21) IRONS: Srixon Z725 (4-PW) WEDGES: Cleveland 588 RTX (53, 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron GoLo M3 BALL: Srixon Z-Star XV BRANDT SNEDEKER Pebble Beach Pro-Am DRIVER: TaylorMade Burner SuperFast (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G25 (15) HYBRID: Ping Anser (17) IRONS: Bridgestone J40 Cavity Back (4-PW) WEDGES: Bridgestone J15 (52, 56) Titleist Vokey TVD K-Grind (60) PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot XG Rossie BALL: Bridgestone B330 ANDREW DODT Thailand Classic DRIVER: Titleist 913D3 (9.5) FAIRWAY WOOD: Titleist 913F (13.5) IRONS: Titleist CB 714 Forged (2-9) WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design SM5 (46, 54 60) PUTTER: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport BALL: Titleist Pro V1x ANDY SULLIVAN Joburg Open DRIVER: Ping G30 (9) FAIRWAY WOOD: Ping G30 (15) HYBRID: Ping i25 (19) IRONS: Ping S55 (3-9) WEDGES: Ping Tour Gorge SS (47, 54, 60) PUTTER: Ping Scottsdale TR Anser 2 BALL: Titleist Pro V1x LYDIA KO Australia Women’s Open DRIVER: Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond (9) FAIRWAY WOODS: Big Bertha Alpha 815 (14, 18) HYBRIDS: Callaway X2 Hot Pro (20, 23, 25) IRONS: Callaway Apex Pro (6-PW) WEDGES: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (54, 60) PUTTER: Odyssey Tank Cruiser 330 Mallet BALL: Callaway Speed Regime 3 PADRAIG HARRINGTON Honda Classic DRIVERS: TaylorMade AeroBurner TP (9.5), TaylorMade SLDR Mini (12) FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade SLDR (14.5) HYBRID: Wilson D100 (19) IRONS: Wilson FG Tour V4 Utility, Wilson FG Tour V2 (5-PW) WEDGES: Wilson FG Tour (52), Ping Eye2 Gorge (58) PUTTER: Wilson Infinite South Side BALL: Titleist Pro V1X

number of performance-enhancing and patented technologies that are unique to Chervò, such as Aqua-Block, Wind-Block and Pro-Therm. The result is a range is clothing that delivers ease of movement and comfort whatever the weather.

Among the key pieces for the new season is the Macenta jacket (£229), a lightweight garment featuring AquaBlock technology that is available in six different colour.

Aqua-Block technology combines a laminated membrane with taped seams to guarantee unbeatable water and wind-proof protection while retaining maximum breathability. The microfibre material also ensures the jacket is soft, noiseless and flexible, so your swing can remain free and flowing at all times..

Chervò’s co-owner Manfred Erlacher said: “Our main goal is always to improve lightness, smooth feel, noiselessness, insulation and all-round comfort - and this is something we believe we’ve been able to achieve through a combination of our pioneering technologies.”

For more details visit www.chervo.com

SCOTT SWITCHES TO SHORT PUTTER After years of plying his trade with a broomhandle putter, Adam Scott finally put a short-handed model into play this month, as the former Masters champion prepares himself for the anchoring ban that comes into force in nine month’s time.

Scott used a standard-length Odyssey White Ice Core putter during the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, and appeared to get on well with it, finishing tied fourth in his first tournament back following the birth of his first child last month.

“I putted well in the past with a short one, but felt I was very streaky. I had hot rounds and really poor rounds, so the long putter just got me some consistency, taught me a few fundamentals, and I’ve managed to adapt that with the short one. I’ve had lots of time at home to get comfortable with it, so I thought I might as well make the adjustment now, rather than stress about it at the end of this year.”

Mahan to showcase HyperFlex at Masters The Masters Tournament always provides an excellent opportunity for golf brands to showcase their latest equipment offerings for the new season, and, like most of the leading footwear brands, FootJoy is keen for armchair fans, as well as visitors to Augusta, to see its new HyperFlex shoe in

action at the year’s first major.

Worn by the likes of Hunter Mahan, the HyperFlex has been given a special Masters makeover, with detailing on the uppers and the sole echoing the green hues of the iconic winner’s jacket.

Although not available for mere mortals to buy, it boasts exactly the same features found in all HyperFlex shoes, including the eye-catching, web-like, flexible exoskeleton that supports the foot through all phases of the swing, and the thick cushioned foam sole. They are available to buy from selected pro shops, priced £135.

Lewis adds driver to Mizuno club contract

Stacey Lewis, America’s highest-ranked women golfer, has renewed her equipment contract with Mizuno.

Currently number three in the Rolex rankings, the 24 year old will play Mizuno’s JPX850 driver, fairway and hybrid, alongside its JPX850 Forged irons and MP-T5 wedges.

Her previous contract did not include the driver, but Lewis, who won three events in 2014, as well as the money list title, put the new JPX850 Fast Track driver into play for the first time at the Thailand’s Honda event last month, where she finished ninth behind winner Inbee Park.

Speaking about the new multi-year deal, Lewis said: “I’m excited to start the 2015 campaign on the right foot by re-signing with Mizuno. Mizuno has been my equipment company since college, and as I pursue more wins, I’m really happy to keep the team intact that has been so central to my success.”

Mizuno president Akito Mizuno was delighted to have Lewis remain on board with the brand. “Stacy is so popular across the world, and especially in Japan,” he said. “She competes with incredible intensity and has overcome barriers with determination and willpower.

We admire her and are delighted she will continue to represent the Mizuno name.”

Skycaddie launches tradein deal on new Touch GPS Golfers in possession of an old SkyCaddie device are being offered up to £80 off the price a brand-new SkyCaddie Touch GPS handset until March 31, 2015.

Golfers who have a SkyCaddie SGX or SGXW can trade them in at any official SkyCaddie stockist for an £80 discount on a new Touch, while those with a SkyCaddie Breeze or SG5, can trade-in for a £50 discount. All models must be in working order to qualify for the discount.

Golfers with any other SkyCaddie – or any other make or model distance measuring device, laser or GPS, can trade-in their old device in for a £30 discount on the Touch, regardless of its condition.

All who take up the offer will also receive a free 12-month Birdie Membership worth £29.99.

Pre-loaded with 35,000 courses, the SkyCaddie Touch, which costs £329, offers glove-friendly touch-screen navigation with a high-definition colour display. Features include IntelliGreen technology, which gives yardages from the angle of attack and highlights major contours on the putting surface; Target List (listing hazards and carries), HoleVue (full hole views), RangeVue (shows yardage arcs) and PinPoint (add pin positions), and digital scoring and stats. It can be linked via Bluetooth to the SkyGolf 360 app to instantly download the very latest course maps.

N O SEL .1 LIN TH

EU

WE

DG

EB

201

G N

RA

4*

K’s

D

The original Rotex technology changed the face of spin, and we engineered Rotex 2.0 to take spin control to the next level. It starts with sharper Tour Zip Grooves for better channeling of debris and moisture, creating cleaner contact. Our enhanced 2-pass micro milling pattern is strategically designed to add more friction and even more spin. The final step is Laser Milled Technology to fine-tune surface roughness across the face. It all adds up to more spin and better scoring than ever before, no matter the conditions. This is Spin 2.0.

ROTEX . MILLING rotex 2.0 MILLING

* Source: Units sold in the UK market, on & off course channels according to Golf Datatech Europe retail audit January to December 2014.

Cleveland Golf, Cleveland, CG logo and Rotex are registered trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.

WHERE SCORING MATTERS and 588 are trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.

clevelandgolf.com/588RTX2.0 *Source: Units sold in the UK market, on & off course channels according to Golf Datatech Europe retail audit January to December 2014.

Cleveland Golf, Cleveland, CG logo and Rotex are registered trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.

WHERE SCORING MATTERS and 588 are trademarks of Cleveland Golf / Srixon.

tour zip grooves

laser milling

[40] MARCH 2015 | CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

IN AT THE DEEP END GolfNews catches up with former world champion swimmer Mark Foster after a lesson with Denis Pugh at The Wisley and a club fitting at Callaway Golf’s Performance Centre in Chessington

H

ow long have you been playing golf?

About 20 years on and off. My swimming coach in the States got me into it in the mid-90s, as he played, and it’s been part of my life ever since.

Where’s your home club, what’s your current handicap, and how often do you get to play?

I’m a member at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire and have a handicap of 18. I live in St Albans, so it’s handy, and I love having the two courses to play. The Palmerston is superb. I don’t like to call myself a fair-weather golfer, but I tend to mainly play between March and October in the UK. Being 6ft 7in must have been a big advantage as a swimmer, but do you find your height helps or hinders you as a golfer?

I find that it’s not an advantage for golf, as the clubhead has to move in a wider arc, so I’ve got the potential for more things to break down during the swing. It’s a lesson I also learned through doing Strictly Come Dancing – when there’s more body, there’s more to go wrong.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your golf game?

The biggest problem I’ve always had is that I don’t hit the ball a long way for someone of my size. Because I’m a sportsman, and I always think everyone’s watching me, I tend to give it a smash. Normally it either doesn’t go straight or a long way, which, I think, is all down to timing. My long-iron game also needs some work.

What kind of things have you been working on with Denis?

I’ve had two sessions with Denis, and we focused on trying to get me to release the clubhead at impact, rather than holding it off. He told me I had a weak grip, which was making me fade the ball, so we’ve worked on getting me to close the clubhead in the downswing. I

Ben Stow

didn’t want to change my grip too much, as I feel comfortable with it, but it’s slowly sinking in, and the results have been pretty good. The winter isn’t an easy time to put it into practice out on the course, but at least I know what I’m trying to achieve – which is half the battle!

What’s in your golf bag?

I’ve just been custom fitted for a new set of Callaways, so I’ve barely had time to take off the clubhead wrappers! I’ve got the Big Bertha driver (9), with matching fairway woods (3, 5); an X2 Hot hybrid (22), X2 Hot irons (5-SW), and an Odyssey White Hot Pro putter. I’m really looking forward to putting them into play – especially as the launch monitor says I am getting 15 more yards with the new irons!

What sort of allowances did the custom fitting make for your height?

I originally had a set of irons that had shafts were two inches longer than standard, but I found that I lost a bit of control with them, so the new set has standard-length shafts, but are two degrees upright, which will hopefully help a bit with my consistency and curb my slice!

Who are your favourite tour players?

I wouldn’t say I had a favourite, but I was lucky enough to play with Darren Clarke in a Pro-Am at the European Masters in Switzerland last year and we had a good laugh.

I played the day before for a bit of

practice and played ok, but as soon as I teed it up in the ProAm, my game went to pieces.

I snap hooked my opening tee shot and it didn’t get much better from then on!

Do you have a favourite course?

The Grove is right up there as a corporate golf day venue. It’s a championship course which can be set up to let amateurs get around without embarrassing themselves too much, and the condition of the course is top notch. Like most people, I’ve got Pebble Beach is on my bucket

BOOK YOUR CUSTOM FITTING WITH CALLAWAY GOLF To book your own fitting at Callaway Golf’s National Performance Centre, go through your local retailer for a free fitting, or book direct via email at ukfittingcentre@callawaygolf.com, where a 90-minute session will cost £75, which is refundable on purchases of equipment valued at £200 or more made within three months of your appointment.

DENIS PUGH ON MARK’S SWING: Mark has a weakish grip, which encourages the clubface to open up in the downswing, leading to a consistent fade. He wasn’t keen to change his grip, so instead we concentrated on seeing the downswing as something similar to a forehand topspin shot in tennis, where you rotate the forearms on the way down to and through the impact area. This encourages a draw, or at very least one that goes straighter, due to Mark’s open grip.

His posture is very good for such a tall man, and once he’s cracked the draw, he will hopefully be finding a lot more fairways in future!

list, and I’d really like to get out there next year.

Where you would you like to play next?

Every year I go over to Spain with seven mates and we play a kind of North v South Ryder Cup competition, although most of them are from the North, so I’m not sure how that works out!

But we have a lot of fun and play some competitive, if not always great, golf. We went to La Quinta last year, and La Cala before that.

I’m not sure where we’re going this year – we might try Portugal.

You’ve been hosting a series of Mark Foster Golf Days to raise funds for WellChild in recent years.

Can you explain how that came about, how much you’ve raised?

It’s a charity that provides practical and emotional support to seriously ill children and their families.

This year will be our sixth golf day and is scheduled for September 25th at The Shire in North London [see below for details]. It should be a fun day. Last year’s event raised over £14,000, so hopefully we can improve on that.

To book your place in the Mark Foster WellChild Golf Day at The Shire London, visit www.wellchild. org.uk or email events@wellchild. org.uk for details.

CE L E B R AT I NG O V E R

8YEARS* For nearly a decade, one name has been fighting to protect players from the perils of poor performance.

The ultimate great-feeling, all-ability ball, the AD333’s extraordinary powers come from Spin Skin™ Technology for increased friction between ball and club face, for greater greenside spin and short game control; Energetic Gradient Growth™ core for explosive ball speeds off the tee, with reduced spin for maximum distance; and our ultimate Speed Dimple Pattern for penetrating flight through the air…

Almost as fast as a speeding bullet.

www.srixon.co.uk * SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC & GOLF DATATECH RETAIL AUDITS, June 2006 to December 2014.

ANDAND NOTNOT FORGETTING FORGETTINGTHETHEDYNAMIC DYNAMICDUO DUO W, ALL-NE & SOFTER !

LONGER

[42] MARCH 2015 | PROSHOP

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

MIZUNO JPX BALL

BUSHNELL NEO GHOST GPS

RRP: £35 FOR 12 CONTACT: GOLF.MIZUNOEUROPE.COM

RRP: £99 CONTACT: BUSHNELLGOLF.EU Preloaded with more than 33,000 courses, NEO Ghost provides measurements to the front, centre and back of the green – along with up to four hazards per hole – on an easy-to-read screen. Additional features include auto course and auto hole recognition, and a shot distance calculator, while the builtin battery will last for at least three rounds. A clip enables the unit to be worn on a belt or attached to a golf bag. It’s available in black, charcoal, green or white.

TRIED + TESTED

Mizuno’s new three-piece JPX ball features a ground-breaking new dimple design that promises more hang time and extra length for all players.

The JPX is the result of a three-year scientific study into the latter stages of a golf ball’s flight, during which Mizuno’s engineers discovered that by focusing on dimple performance in the descent phase of the ball’s flight, they could effectively extend airtime and overall distance.

Thus the JPX features a circle of smaller micro-dimples around a larger dimple, which takes effect as the ball’s velocity slows down and it starts to dip towards the ground.

“The Dimple-Clusters have little effect at higher ball speeds generated at impact,” said Masashi Tamakoshi, Mizuno’s head of ball development. “However as the ball peaks and slows, they start to take full effect. By stalling the descent phase just a fraction, we were able to increase the JPX’s overall airtime.”

ECCO BIOM HYBRID 2

RRP: £170 CONTACT: ECCO.COM

AXGLO TRILITE PUSH TROLLEY RRP: £129.99 CONTACT: NORTHERN GOLF

The original Biom Hybrid was Ecco’s best selling model, introducing its Natural Motion techonology to help connect golfers with the ground, as well as offering the kind of out-of-the-box comfort that few other golf shoes were able to offer.

The basic concept behind Natural Motion is to remove the over-compensating nature of many golf shoes, giving golfers the sense that their feet are controlling balance and movement, rather than the shoe doing all the work. The next generation Biom model promises to do all that, but takes it a step further.

For starters, it’s 15% lighter than the originals, courtesy of an extra-thin midsole that has a much lower profile.

Other innovations include a new insole that incorporates silicon gel pads to help prevent the foot slipping during the swing.

This feature complements the anatomical last that cradles the foot from all angles.

A new TPU outsole, which is firmer in areas that need the most

stability and softer in parts that are key to comfort, also takes the Biom 2 forward from its predecessor.

Grip is provided by a moulded nub system, which offers hundreds of points of contact with the ground to ensure maximum grip, and make these shoes ideal for year-round use. Like all Ecco golf shoes, the Biom Hybrid 2 is made using a unique direct-injection process that bonds the shoe to create a onepiece construction, removing the need for glue or stitching.

The bond gives the shoes a watertight seal that combines with the Hydromax treated yak leather uppers to give a high level of weather protection.

It is available in a choice of colours, including mocha/fire, black/ brick, white/fire, camel/fanta, navy/ brick, concrete/royal, white/green, and grey/green.

northern golf@btconnect.com or call 0161 767 9666

Golfers looking for a new push trolley should take a look at Axglo’s TriLite, which is new to the UK market.

Made from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminium, the TriLite’s features include a hand brake, an adjustable bag rack, and scratch-resistant paint on the frame. It folds down easily and compactly for storage at home or in the car, and is available with a black, silver or white frame, black or silver wheels, and comes with a one-year warranty.

PROSHOP | MARCH 2015 [43]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

PRO SHOP FOOTJOY SCIFLEX TOUR GLOVE

TITLEIST SCOTTY CAMERON GOLO

RRP: £16 CONTACT: FOOTJOY.CO.UK

RRP: £315 CONTACT: TITLEIST.CO.UK

Renowned for its flexibility and feel, FootJoy’s next generation SciFlex Tour is the glove of choice for a large number of players on tour. The latest reworking offers enhanced comfort through greater levels of breathability, with microscopic perforations in the palm and fingers improving grip and enhancing moisture management in all conditions.

Titleist’s new range of five Scotty Cameron GOLO putters will suit the eye of all mallet-loving golfers.

Each model features a lightweight aluminium face-sole core surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped stainless steel frame that delivers improved MOI for increased stability and extra forgiveness on offcentre hits. The steel frame is connected to the core at five key points with new vibration dampening technology that delivers the softest feeling Cameron putter in recent years.

The steel body has a silver mist finish that contrasts with the darker core to create a sightline for easy alignment, while four-way relief on the sole enables a smooth takeaway.

The GoLo putters also feature a new insert that covers almost the entire face and wraps under the sole, rather than covering just the centre section, which improves feel and responsiveness wherever you strike the ball on the face.

NIKON COOLSHOT 40 RRP: £269.99/£299.99 CONTACT: NIKONGOLF.CO.UK The Coolshot 40 and Coolshot 40i laser rangefinders are lighter and more powerful than any previous Nikon model. Capable of measuring up to 650 yards, the 40 is designed exclusively for measuring actual distance and can be used for competition, if local rules allow. The 40i incorporates Nikon’s angle compensation technology, which displays the slope-adjusted distance, and is ideal for use on courses with significant inclines. Both models boast a x6 magnification view finder, while key features include First Target Priority, which measures the distance to a flag when there are trees in the background.

PUMA BIODRIVE RRP: £100 CONTACT: COBRAGOLF.COM/PUMAGOLF Puma’s new spikeless BioDrive shoe features three zones specifically engineered to increase flexibility, balance and stability, whether you’re out on the golf course or practising on the range. Although the lightweight, ergonomic profile mimics a running shoe, the durable carbon rubber outsole is inspired by a traditional golf shoe, and contains 10 octagonal pods to provide 130 points of traction. The edge of each octagon is designed to provide better grip on smooth surfaces, while the centre section provides stable performance on the golf course. A breathable, waterproof mesh upper helps maintain a cool in-shoe climate, as well as protect against the elements.

Choose from three colour combinations, comprising blue/peacoat/yellow, white/tradewinds/peacoat, or black/white/turbulence.

PING RHAPSODY HYBRID/IRON SET RRP: £95 PER CLUB CONTACT: PING.COM The latest version of Ping’s popular Rhapsody range is specifically designed for women with slower swing speeds, with clubs featuring lighter overall mass, higher lofts and optimised shaft lengths.

The range includes a driver, fairway woods, an iron/hybrid combination set, and a variety of putters.

The blended set combines three hybrids (22, 26, 30), five perimeter-weighted irons, and three wedges (PW, UW, SW). The stainless steel clubs feature thin faces to generate faster ball speeds, while a low-back centre of gravity promotes higher launch and elevates the MOI for increased forgiveness and accuracy.

The irons boast an elastomer cavity badge to produce a soft, yet solid feel, while slightly longer shafts and stronger lofts optimise trajectory, distance, and gapping.

[44] MARCH 2015 | SHOWCASE

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

1. SRIXON Z H45

2. ADAMS TIGHT LIES

3. PING G30

RRP: £190 LOFT OPTIONS: 16°, 19°, 22°

RRP: £129 LOFT OPTIONS: 17°, 19°, 22°, 25°, 28°

RRP: £175 LOFT OPTIONS: 17°, 19°, 22°, 26°, 30°

Designed to appeal to a wide range of players, the Z H45, which is part of Srixon’s new Z Series of metalwoods, is a classic-looking hybrid that offers high launch and low spinning performance. With a head shape and size that inspires confidence at address, and a plain, black gloss crown, it combines a hot maraging steel face for maximum ball speed and a low centre of gravity to promote a high, yet penetrating launch with a soft landing for shots hit into the green.

The signature upside-down shaping and low-profile design of the Adams’ Tight Lies produce a lower centre of gravity and higher launch that make for a very versatile, classic-looking hybrid which can be played from all lies, tight or not.

The face is made from high-strength Carpenter 455 stainless steel face and combines with channels in the crown and sole – called ‘Ghost Slot Technology’ – to increase face deflection and boost ball speed. One of the main criticisms of the earlier Slot Technology seen in the most recent Adams hybrids was that it was a little too visible at address. There are no such problems this time hence the Ghost name.

Like the G30 irons, the G30 hybrids have been designed to produce faster ball speeds for longer distance and a higher maximum ball flight. The top rail is flatter and the heel section higher than the previous G25 model, which gives a square face at address to help with alignment. The face has been constructed from 17-4 stainless steel, which not only makes it strong, but also thin, maximising face deflection to increase ball speed. Weight pads inside the heel and toe areas increase MOI and offer more forgiveness on off-centre hits, while additional weight in the sole creates a low-back centre of gravity that helps launch the ball high. The CG is placed even further back in the lower lofts to offer more height on longer shots.

3

2

1

FLY GUYS

Hit the heights with hot-faced hybrids 4

5

6

6. TITLEIST 915H

4. CALLAWAY XR

5. COBRA FLY-Z

RRP: £205 LOFT OPTIONS: 915H (18°, 21°, 24°, 27°), 915H.D (17.5°, 20.5°, 23.5°)

RRP: £169 LOFT OPTIONS: XR (19°, 22°, 25°, 28°), XR PRO (16°, 18°, 20°, 23°)

RRP: £159 LOFT OPTIONS: 2-3 (16°-19°, 3-4 (19°-22°), 4-5 (22°-25°)

Both models in the 915 hybrid range – 915H and 915H.d – feature an Active Recoil Channel, a slot set back from the face on the sole that delivers lower spin and more speed across the face. ARC technology allows the crown and sole to flex together, creating a trampoline effect that maximises energy transfer. Both feature pear-shaped profiles, and a highstrength face that is less than 2.1mm thick to deliver increased distance through higher ball speeds (1mph more from the tee and 1.3mph from turf than the 913 hybrids). The H.d model is designed to offer slightly less spin, suiting the better player.

Loft and lies can be adjusted through the SureFit Tour hosel, which offers 16 different launch combinations.

Callaway changed its traditional approach to hybrid design when it introduced the XR hybrids, creating a club from the ground up that is easier to hit and longer than anything it had previously produced, including the X2 Hot, which this range replaces. The two models, XR and XR Pro, reposition weight around the club’s edges for increased MOI, while the cup face is thinner for improved ball speeds.

The weight in the standard XR is placed 46 per cent lower than in the X2 Hot, which creates a deeper centre of gravity for more forgiveness and a higher launch angle. The more compact Pro version has the CG 72% lower than the X2 Hot Pro, which makes it one of the most forgiving hybrids for better players.

The new Fly-Z hybrids feature a low-back centre of gravity to offer a combination of forgiveness and higher ball speed. The steel face incorporates a channel that maintains speed across the face for off-centre strikes, while the CG position encourages a higher trajectory for more carry distance. Cobra MyFly8 technology offers eight easily adjustable loft settings for each of the three clubs in the range, while SmartPad ensure that the face sits squarely at address regardless of loft/trajectory settings. An XL version with a bigger head launches higher and has an offset design to help combat any slicing tendencies.

W E B U I LT- U P T H E L O W E R H A N D F O R L I G H T E R G R I P P R E S S U R E , MORE PERFORMANCE AND MORE POWER.

INTRODUCING MCC PLUS4 — Golf Pride takes the secret that pros use of building up the lower hand grip to help in producing power. Experience the soft, larger lower hand for lighter grip pressure, coupled with cord technology in the upper hand for stability, and bring more power to your game. GRIP CONFIDENCE. GRIP GOLF PRIDE™.

VISIT GOLFPRIDE.COM

BY

©2015 GOLF PRIDE. GOLF PRIDE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF EATON.

[46] MARCH 2015 | BREAKS

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

STAY AND PLAY IN STYLE New-look Carden Park set to draw in crowds AT HISTORIC HEVER

Golfers who fancy living like royalty for a few days should consider booking up a golf break at historic Hever Castle Golf Club in Kent, where guests have the chance to stay in a wing of the historic castle that was once the family home of Anne Boleyn.

The Astor Wing at Hever Castle offers 21 luxurious bedrooms, set within private areas of the castle, which are available all year round.

The stunning accommodation has once again been awarded Visit England’s Five Star Gold award, which recognises excellent standard of accommodation and attentive service.

For the ultimate overnight experience Hever also offers Medley Court, a luxurious fourbedroom property, with its own private entrance, and fabulous views of Hever Castle.

There are a wide range of golf packages available, including

the Prince’s, which offers one night in a deluxe room, with full English breakfast, nine holes of golf on the Prince’s course, and entrance to the castle and gardens, which costs from £91pp; while the King’s package includes the same offer, but with 18 holes on Hever Castle’s 18hole championship course, for £108pp.

A former host of the Kent PGA Championship and Kent Open on numerous occasions since opening in 1992, the Kings and Queens combine to produce a championship course of over 7,000 yards. With water hazards, numerous astutelyplaced bunkers, small greens, and some narrow tree-lined fairways, it places an emphasis on accuracy, although there are plenty of opportunities to open the shoulders, especially on the front nine.

While much of the talk in the clubhouse will be about how to

negotiate the notorious 644-yard 17th, few courses can boast such an array of stunning holes, with the short third and sixth holes – both of which are played over water – being early highlights.

Later on, it’s the trio of holes from the 11th to the 13th that stand out, not only for their beauty, but their difficulty, with carries over and beside water to small, well-protected targets.

Off the course, Hever boasts a superb clubhouse, part of which dates back to the 13th century, which provides the perfect place to relax before, during and after a day’s golf. With a spacious patio, informal spike bar, and a generously-proportioned lounge and dining room, it is the ideal environment for entertaining, with a choice of dining facilities and meeting rooms.

To enquire about golf breaks to Hever Castle, call 01732 700771 or vist www.hever.co.uk.

Visitors to the newly-independent Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire can look forward to enjoying a host of new-look facilities, following the completion of the first phase of a £4 million refurbishment project.

Guests to the Chester-based hotel will enjoy the enhanced facilities at the former De Vere-owned venue, including renovations to all public areas, Morgan’s Bar and the lounge area.

In addition, all residential guests and members can now enjoy the new spa facilities, which have also been upgraded.

Carden Park offers two courses, The Nicklaus, designed by the

great Jack Nicklaus and his son Steve, and The Cheshire.

The resort is currently offering a range of spring breaks, starting at £99pp for B&B, with rounds costing £29 form Monday-Friday and £39 at weekends.

For bookings call 01829 731000 or go to www.cardenpark.co.uk.

Fairmont St Andrews offers unlimited golf in March Fairmont St Andrews, the luxury resort located at the Home of Golf, is offering unlimited golf on both its championship courses with its ‘Swing into Spring’ package, available until the end of March.

Costing from £134 per person, package includes a night’s accommodation, full Scottish breakfast, and a three-course

CORNISH CREAM

dinner in either La Cucina or the Squire restaurants, plus unlimited golf on either of the resort’s two 18-hole championship golf courses, The Torrance and The Kittocks, the former of which hosted the Scottish Senior Open. To book this offer, call 01334 837000, or email standrews. scotland@fairmont.com, quoting ‘Swing into Spring’.

exclusivegolfbreaks.com

2 NIGHTS B&B at St Mellion or Trevose 3 ROUNDS St Mellion, Perranporth & Trevose

ONLY £225 pp Dinner option: £20pp per night extra

ENGLISH RIVERA DEVON

HAMPSHIRE & SURREY CLASSICS

MID WALES

NORTH WALES

WOODHALL GOLF BREAKS

2 NIGHTS B&B at Toorak Hotel, Torquay 3 ROUNDS Churston, Torquay & Teignmouth

2 NIGHTS B&B at either: Marriott Portsmouth or Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa, Haslemere

2 NIGHTS B&B at The Metropole Hotel DAY 1 Cradoc G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Llandrindod Wells G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Builth Wells G.C 18 holes

2 NIGHTS B&B at The Royal Sportsman DAY 1 Porthmadog G.C 18 holes DAY 2 Nefyn & District G.C 18 holes DAY 3 Royal St Davids G.C 18 holes

2 NIGHTS B&B at Woodhall Spa Hotel 3 DAYS 1 x Hotchkin Course*

ONLY £199 pp

ONLY £225 pp

ONLY £249 pp

3 ROUNDS at any of these courses:

Hindhead, Stoneham, Hayling or Liphook

ONLY £199 pp

Dinner Option: £10pp per night extra

ONLY £249 pp

Weekend supplement: £10pp extra

Weekend supplement: £15pp extra

1 x Bracken Course* 1 x Seacroft GC

* Located at Woodhall

Weekend supplement: £17pp extra

To discuss your exclusive golf package call 01822 618181

We have over 15 years experience of organising golf breaks throughout the UK and Europe

BREAKS | MARCH 2015 [47]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Devonshire delight: The Manor House has a dizzying array of golf courses on which to test your skills

Spring into action at The Manor’s magnificent seven!

If variety is the spice of a golfer’s life, then you should look no further than the Manor House and Ashbury Hotels in Devon for your ‘staycation’ golfing break this summer.

The popular Dartmoor-based resort boasts no fewer than seven 18-hole courses, all on the same 600-acre site. This unique complex offers three full-length 18-hole courses (the Kigbeare, Beeches and Oakwood), three 18-hole loops made from perming two of the Pines, Forest and Beeches nines, and a further 18-hole par-3 course, the Willows.

The golf courses, which offer stunning views of Dartmoor and across the rolling Devonshire countryside towards Exmoor, utilise the natural features of the landscape – making the most of mature trees, hedgerows and ponds. The courses are all maintained in peak condition by the talented ground staff – ensuring that visitors can enjoy spectacular golf all year round.

The golf break packages are stacked with extras, including

free 27 holes of golf per day throughout your stay.

Away from the golf courses there is plenty to keep families occupied, with other facilities available free of change to guests including 11 tennis courts, 12 badminton courts, 13 bowls rinks, 30 snooker tables, 10 lanes of ten pin, three swimming pools, five target ranges, team sports, exercise classes, and two hydro spas.

There is also a brand new 18hole adventure golf course that is available to test your putting skills on free of charge.

For the more artisticallyminded guests, two craft centres offer 17 tutored crafts, including pottery, glass engraving, hot press printing and woodwork. All tutoring is free, so guests only pay minimal material costs.

All breaks are offered full board, and there is a wide variety of group discounts available For the latest packages, call 0800 389 9892 or visit www.ashburygolfhotel.com.

Staverton sets the stage for new coaching breaks Staverton Park Golf Club in Northamptonshire is to host a series of golf tuition breaks this year, run by golf and holiday specialists David Short Golf.

David Short Golf has been providing golf and coaching holidays for more than 30 years, and for the 2015 season, the UK-based company is offering its most extensive programme of tuition holidays to date.

“With the lack of golf improvement holidays available in the UK, our holidays have proved increasingly popular for golfers looking to fine tune their game, whilst also playing some interesting courses with other similar, like-minded individuals,” said company founder David Short, who is also a PGA professional. “As experienced PGA pros, we are able to offer expert tuition, but we also enjoy the hosting element of the holidays that gives clients a unique, personal touch and also a thoroughly enjoyable social environment in which to learn.”

The variety of format, location and length of stay means golfers can choose from a number of options throughout the year. From mid-April, the company is running a series of UK golf and coaching events that will be held at Staverton Park, near Daventry.

The events explore every aspect of the game, from technique to the mental side of the game. The overall aim is to improve golf skills, give clients a more rounded view of their game and to help them take practice routines out onto the course.

Traditionally hosted by Short, this year PGA Professional Aaron Shepherd will also teach some groups, which are limited to 12 people to ensure thorough instruction. Run over three nights and four days, these packages start at £455pp, and include accommodation on a dinner, B&B basis, coaching, game analysis, golf and use of the club’s practice facilities.

For more information visit www. davidshortgolf.

The co.uk or House email info@ davidshortgolf.

Set in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Devon, co.uk.

Hotels the Ashbury Hotel is the ideal venue for your golf break.

Manor

&

Ashbury

FREE GOLF At The UK’s Largest Golf Resort

At least 27 holes of FREE golf with each night of stay!

Oakwood 16th 172 yards, Par 3

Pines 17th 442 yards, Par 4

Our Courses - ALL ON ONE SITE! Kigbeare Par 72 6528 Pines Par 72 6400 Beeches Par 69 5803 Oakwood Par 68 5502 Ashbury 9 + Pines Front 9 Par 69 5775 Ashbury 9 + Pines Back 9 Par 71 6111 Willows Par 54 1939

Full Board June Breaks from: 3nts Weekend £231pp • 4nts Midweek £265pp Additional Facilities FREE to residents of our hotels Sports Racket Sports Leisure Ranges Family Bowls Swimming Funhouse Tennis Archery Table Tennis Badminton Spa & Sauna Gamezone Air Pistols 5-A-Side Snooker Waterslides Air Rifles Squash Basketball Short Tennis Ten-Pin Lasers Play Area PLUS unique Craft Centre featuring 17 tutored crafts, including Pottery, Woodwork, Glass Engraving & Hot Press Printing

Summer Sizzlers 2015 13/7/15-26/8/15

FREE UNLIMITED GOLF & ½ PRICE BUGGIES

“The food in the restaurant was good quality with a great choice.” - ARH0lland -Trip Advisor

0800 389 9892

ashburygolfhotel.com

All rooms en-suite • Full board • Child rates • Party discounts

[48] MARCH 2015 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

SUENO DELUXE BOOSTS BELEK’S APPEAL Turkey is currently one of golf’s on-trend destinations, with its transformation from a place for sunseekers to one where championship-standard golf courses are attracting highlevel professional tournaments, has been nothing short of miraculous.

Direct flights to Antalya, the southern region’s main airport, are consistently full of British golfers looking to try their luck on the more than a dozen championship golf courses that have sprung up in the last five or six years. And with 300 days of sunshine a year, and a thin sweater only required on occasional mornings between December and March, it’s not hard to see what makes it so well suited to golf.

At the forefront of Turkey’s golf boom is the southern town of Belek, a virtually custommade resort that is home to over 30 quality hotels and most of the aforementioned golf courses.

The latest resort on Belek’s increasingly busy coastline is the new five-star, all-inclusive Sueno Hotels Deluxe, which opens in May. Promising one of the most

Make your mark on the world at Myrtle luxurious experiences in Belek, it is situated just moments from a private beach, and a buggy ride away from its two 18-hole championship courses, Sueno Pines and Sueno Dunes.

The hotel features 426 air-conditioned rooms over six floors, with the majority enjoying sea views from private balconies. Inside the hotel, there is an avenue of restaurants for guests to taste cuisines from around the world, while there is also a spa and numerous bars, swimming pools and other sports facilities.

Of the two golf courses, the Dunes is easier than the Pines and will be popular with golfers of mixed abilities. The clever use

of the natural sand dunes has created an interesting layout with some spectacular views.

Although the course is still set amongst a backdrop of pine trees, the Dunes is more open than the Pines, while the sand ridges that run through the course provide a distinctly links feel to the layout.

Golf Escapes is currently offering seven nights allinclusive at Sueno Hotels Deluxe in May from just £605pp, including three rounds of golf, airport transfers, and one free place for every group of eight people.

For more details and bookings, visit www.golf-escapes.com or call 01342 811777.

The world’s largest amateur golf tournament takes place this summer along the northeastern South Carolina coast.

The 32nd Myrtle Beach World Amateur Handicap Championship is expected to attract over 3,500 participants, who play more than 60 courses in the event.

The four-day tournament, which takes place from August 31-September 4, costs $475 per person, with tickets on sale from March 24. Those who register before April 8 are entered into random draws to win more than $10,000 worth of prizes.

The World Am is grouped according to USGA stroke indexes, with five competitive divisions ranging from men/women under 49 years old to super seniors aged 70 and above. Flight winners advance to the 18-hole world championship

play-off, where a world champion is crowned. Participating courses previous editions of the event have included the Norman, Fazio and Love courses at Barefoot Resort, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, True Blue Golf Plantation and Tidewater Golf Club.

The entry fee also allows nightly access to ‘The World’s Largest 19th Hole’ at the Myrtle Beach Convention Centre. The gathering features equipment demos, entertainment, concerts, bars and restaurants and celebrity appearances.

Registration is available at www. worldamgolf.com, and the entry fee also includes a gift bag. Flights and accommodation need to be arranged separately, although the event’s organiser, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, is happy to make recommendations on popular hotels for players.

For details visit www.worldamgolf. com.

Spring breaks on Enjoy Malaga’s top offer at Las tracks with Kempinski Colinas beach break

Golfers looking to play a collection of Southern Spain’s finest courses, while staying in one of the best hotels in the region, should check out the range of luxury golf breaks offerd by the Kempinski Hotel Bahia.

Located on its own stretch of beach, 2km from Estepona, the Kempinski is situated within a short drive of more than 50 courses, including Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup, and the highly-touted Finca Cortesin. Throw in San Roque, Sotogrande and La Quinta, and you have a tempting choice of some of the best tracks in Europe right on your doorstep.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World group, the Kempinski offers 128 bedrooms and 17 luxury suites – all of which offer partial or full sea views. The Moorish-style, beachfront property boast acres of beautiful gardens in which to while away the day, three swimming pools, a recentlyrenovated spa, as well as leisure facilities for children big and small, including a kids club.

Working closely with local golf course owners, the hotel has put together a range of exclusive golf break packages. Three-day breaks, including

rounds at Valderrama, La Reserva and San Roque’s New Course – all with buggies – and two nights’ B&B accommodation in a deluxe room are available from €760pp. A four-night B&B stay, featuring golf at Valderrama, San Roque (Old Course), Finca Cortesin, Sotogrande and La Reserve, starts from €1,232pp.

With a dedicated golf desk, and course transfers on request, hotel guests also benefit from reduced green fees at more than 20 other golf clubs in the region, including Guadalmina, La Quinta, Los Arqueros, Los Flamingos, Los Naranjos and Marbella Golf & Country Club, to name but a few.

For more details call 00 34 952809500, or visit kempinski.com/en/marbella.

Consistently ranked amongst the Top 100 golf courses on the Continent, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is widely regarded by golfers across Europe as one of Spain’s premier golfing destinations.

With the promise of impeccable course conditions all-year-round, the promise of sunshine, and the recent unveiling of a new 2015 Stay & Play package, now is the perfect time to treat yourself and your golfing guests to a World Apart Las Colinas experience.

Located just south of Alicante, in 330 hectares of stunning woodland, the exquisite Troon-managed Las Colinas provides a relaxed environment for the perfect golf holiday experience, ensuring the hustle and bustle of daily life becomes a distant memory from the moment you arrive.

Available until May 31, the ‘Stay & Play World Apart’ package has been designed to appeal to both new and returning guests, all of whom will be treated to impeccable service and

warm hospitality that Las Colinas delivers every day.

Five-night stays in a two-bedroom Las Colinas Residences apartment (based on four people sharing) breakfast each day, and three rounds of golf, costs €350 per person. Guests will also receive a 20% discount on any extra rounds, as well as a 10% reduction on the cuisine available in UNiK Café and the Enso Sushibar.

Las Colinas’s 18-hole layout has built a formidable reputation for its year-round Championship-ready conditioning and pristine putting surfaces. Designed for players of all levels by acclaimed architect Cabell B. Robinson, the golf course blends naturally into the surrounding landscape, running through valleys between the hills to deliver a truly captivating and unforgettable golfing experience.

For bookings, visit www. aworldapart.es, email residences@ lascolinasgolf.es or call 00 34 965323786.

TRAVEL | MARCH 2015 [49]

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

SarahStirk

T

he Bahamas has been getting a lot of attention lately. Many of you will have heard of or read about Albany, the luxury golfing community part-owned

by Tiger Woods, where Justin Rose now lives, and where Adam Scott and Ian Poulter like to hang out in the off-season; but this year will see this über-private resort play host to Tiger’s Hero World Challenge tournament for the first time, bringing with it dozens of the world’s best players to compete for a multimillion dollar purse.

Despite the limited parcels of land available on these tiny islands, the number of golf resorts has grown almost exponentially in recent years, with Jack Nicklaus’s Baha Mar set to become the latest offering when it officially opens its gates later this month at a 1,000-acre resort located along Nassau’s Cable Beach. Backed by the Chinese government, this mega development marks a step up from the more boutique-style resorts with which the islands are more commonly associated.

Another new kid on the block is Baker’s Bay, a private resort located in Great Guana Cay, situated between the Sea of Abaco and the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s the destination of choice for good friends Keegan Bradley and Rickie Fowler, who like to enjoy some downtime away from the rigours of professional golf, although golfers with far higher handicaps fill the bulk of the daily tee times.

Facilities are at Baker’s Bay are, as you’d expect for a playground for the rich and famous, first class.

SARAH STIRK JOINS THE GROWING LIST OF GOLFERS, BOTH AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL, WHO HAVE SET THEIR SIGHTS ON A GOLF BREAK TO THE BAHAMAS. IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR TIGER…

The ultra-exclusive Abaco Club

The Abaco Club’s members’ list reads like a Who’s Who of the international golfing community, including Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood

l u f ti u a Be s a m a h Ba IS ON MY BUCKET LIST

There’s a highly-rated golf course designed by Tom Fazio; a club-owned private boat; an exclusive family beach club, and impressive spa and fitness facilities.

If you’re feeling flush, residential properties are available to buy in the guarded, gated community, with plots ranging from one third of an acre and up.

If, like many golf pros, you’re a fan of deep sea fishing, villas and apartments around Baker’s Bay’s marina will also have plenty of appeal.

Other recommended venues include the established Treasure Cay, which boasts a course designed by Dick Wilson during the late 1960s. The par 72 layout offers narrow fairways, unpredictable winds, vast bunkers, and sizeable duck ponds, all of which combine to make Treasure Cay a challenging course surrounded by breathtaking tropical beauty.

The course can reportedly be played in less than three hours and, if you have more time, it’s supposed to be a great walking course. Here’s the best bit: you don’t need a tee time to play - just show up with your clubs or rent a set from the pro shop. Things are typically pretty relaxed in the Bahamas.

There are few corners of the globe that Greg Norman hasn’y got his designer’s hands dirty in these days, so it’s no surprise to find that the 18-hole

Greg Norman’s Grande Isle Resort is another stunning beach-side track

championship course at Grand Isle Resort and Spa was created by the great man. It’s also one of his earlier works, having been opened back in 2003, but it is one of the most highly-rated oceanside clubs in the Bahamas, with six signature holes hugging the edge of Emerald Bay’s scenic peninsula. As with all the great Bahamian resorts, it’s a one-stop destination, featuring fine restaurants, luxurious spas, and numerous other leisure activities to while away the long, lazy holiday hours.

Finally, the ultra-exclusive Abaco Club is the breathtaking setting for the world’s first Scottishstyle links course in a tropical location. Designed

by Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, Abaco boasts a 7,182-yard course which continues to get rave reviews for its sheer beauty year after year. The 18th hole commands a majestic setting, perched along the shoreline 60 feet above the crashing surf.

This members-only retreat, which was first opened by Peter de Savary back in 2004, offers guests an opportunity to play the course once before joining. Membership fees, however, begin at an eye watering – and wallet emptying – $75,000. The club’s membership – a consortium of which bought the club off the previous owner in December ­– numbers around 150, and reads like a who’s who of the international golfing community, with Ernie Els, Darren Clarke, and Lee Westwood among its ranks.

The Abaco Club’s success is, in no small part, down to its remoteness. After flying to Marsh Harbour, you take a 25-minute drive to this tropical gem that lies completely secluded inside its own private community of Winding Bay. Once inside, having being checked over by security, you are treated like royalty.

For resort visitors, state-of-the-art homes are also available to rent through the Abaco Club, allowing full access to all the amenities.

Of course, in the Bahamas there are no seasons, with year-round temperatures averaging 70 degree, and rain seldom lasts for longer than it takes for you to find some cover. And with some quality courses, luxurious accommodation, and that familiar laid-back Caribbean charm, the Bahamas is a destination that ticks all the boxes. If you’re heading there anytime soon, tweet me a picture, I promise not to feel a pang of jealousy!

[50] MARCH 2015 | TRAVEL

GOLFNEWS.CO.UK

Me&MyTravels My most recent holiday was… skiing in Sainte Foy in the Alps with my travel company SuperSkills Experiences. I had my first taste of off-piste action and I’m now hooked! Sainte Foy is a superb little resort and I’d like to think we put on an awesome holiday for the guests.

in Ireland, and I also had the privilege of playing Royal Melbourne when I was in Australia commentating on a Lions Tour. What an awesome test of golf.

My favourite golf course in the UK… is Sunningdale. The Old Course is the best inland course in the UK, and the New isn’t far behind. One of my other favourites is Hunstanton in Norfolk. I love seaside courses and my wife and I got married round the corner from there.

The seafood at Gigi’s in Quinta do Lago is not to be missed

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed at was… Forte Village Resort in Sardinia for fun and sporting activities.

I run a SuperSkills rugby academy for children there during the summer, but it’s also Forte Village, Sardinia somewhere that I love to go with my family as well. The sports facilities are amazing, and the My favourite city in the world parents get to enjoy a break is… Rome. It’s where I grew while their kids are running off up and I have incredibly fond their energy! memories of the beautiful city.

My most memorable round was at… Stonyhurst Park Golf Club in Blackburn where I picked up a club for the first time.

My favourite golf course in the world… Augusta. I’ve not played it, but I went over there for the Masters last year, and it was truly epic. Playing wise, I had a superb trip to Old Head

we’re the golf holiday experts www.chakagolf.com

FLORIDA

from £1,695 PP

5* Belle Mare Plage

1 week b&b, $200 resort credit per room 4 rounds of golf including buggy

12 nights All Inclusive Package from £2,235 PP

unlimited golf, incl. flights & transfers

TENERIFE

from £1,730 PP

5* Marriott Marco Island

12 nights Half Board from £1,695 PP

Incl. flights & 4 evening meals

ABU DHABI

from £595 PP

from £1,295 PP

5* Las Madrigueras

4* Crowne Plaza Yas island

Excl. flights & transfers

Incl. flights, airport & golf transfers

5 nights b&b 2 evening meals & unlimited golf

MEXICO

5* Moon Palace Resort

7 nights b&b 4 rounds of golf plus shared golf cart

SOUTH AFRICA

from £1,875 PP

12 nights b&b 6 rounds of golf on 6 courses

Incl. flights & transfers MADEIRA

SEYCHELLES

from £1,895 PP

2 weeks Garden Route & Cape Town

2 weeks All Inclusive Unlimited golf on 2 courses

Incl. flights & car hire DUBAI

SPAIN

www.chakagolf.com enquiries@chakatravel.com

ITALY

IRELAND

MOROCCO

CALL OUR SPECIALISTS

028 9023 2112

Sunningdale

Old Head Golf Club

I always travel with… Perudo dice. The greatest game – many an hour is spent playing by the pool when we’re on holiday!

My ideal holiday fourball would include… My mum, my dad and my son Archie.

MAURITIUS

FORMER ENGLAND AND HARLEQUINS CENTRE WILL GREENWOOD FINDS HIMSELF MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE AS THE FOUNDER OF AN ACTIVITY-BASED HOLIDAY BUSINESS

TURKEY

I’m planning a golf trip to…

North Wales in August with my family. There are some great courses up there, and hopefully we will get some lovely Welsh summer sun!

My top travel tip would be… never to leave home without a big supply of hand wipes!

My favourite holiday restaurant is… the ever-popular beachside restaurant Gigi’s at Quinta do Lago in Portugal, which borders the Ria Formosa National Park. The prawns are fabulous, and it has one of those great dusk settings that you can’t put a price on. We’ve been on holiday to Pinheiros Altos quite a few times and always find time for a meal at Gigi’s.

Will Greenwood is a co-founder of SuperSkills Experiences.

He will be hosting the family sports academy at Forte Village, Sardinia throughout July and August. For more details visit www.superskillsexperiences. com. He will also be taking part in Sport Fest, a two-day family sports festival which takes on the Getty family estate in Buckinghamshire from August 1-2 (www.sport-fest.co.uk).

Championship golf courses, nationally acclaimed restaurants and Southern hospitality.

The Charleston area is home to 20 of the finest golf courses in the United States, including The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Every hole features unique designs that test one’s ability and challenge the will. But most significantly, Charleston golf will remind you of why you play the game.

CharlestonAreaGolf.com

GET FAST. OR GET PASSED.

Fueled by patented Turbulator Technology™ and a new face material, G30® adjustable drivers are PING’s longest, most forgiving drivers ever. In wind-tunnel testing, crown turbulators are proven to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase clubhead speed.

With three options engineered to match your game, a G30 driver is the fastest way to longer, more accurate drives. Get fit today or visit ping.com. You’ll be better for it.

G30

STANDARD Optimised to fit most golfers. The preferred choice of PING professionals around the world.

SF TEC™

STRAIGHT-FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY Weight closer to the heel and a lighter swingweight produce a right-to-left shot bend.

LOW/BACK CG Optimises launch conditions and increases MOI for unmatched distance, forgiveness and consistency.

NEW T9S TITANIUM FACE Hotter face delivers higher ball speeds for more distance.

©2015 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071

LS TEC™

LOW-SPIN TECHNOLOGY Provides low, stable spin and forgiveness for golfers with faster swing speeds.